Patrick Donohoe

He brought his wounded officer safely through enemy cavalry.

Patrick Donohoe, also recorded as Donohue, was born near Nenagh, County Tipperary, around 1820. A coach builder, he enlisted in the 17th Lancers in 1839 and transferred to the 9th Lancers in 1842. He served in the Gwalior, Sutlej and Punjab campaigns before the Indian uprising.

At Bulandshahr on 28 September 1857, Lieutenant Blair was severely wounded amid enemy cavalry. Donohoe went to his support and, with other men, brought the officer safely through the surrounding horsemen. The Victoria Cross was presented by Queen Victoria at Windsor in January 1860.

Medically discharged at Dublin in 1864, he became a Kilmainham Hospital pensioner and later lived outside the hospital. He died at Ashbourne, County Meath, on 16 August 1876 and was buried in Donaghmore churchyard. His grave is unmarked.

Official Victoria Cross citation (London Gazette, 24 December 1858):

For having, at Bolundshahur, on the 28th of September 1857, gone to the support of Lieutenant Blair, who had been severely wounded, and, with a few other men, brought that officer in safety through a large body of the enemy’s cavalry.