Patrick Mullane

He braved close enemy fire to rescue a wounded driver in war

Patrick Mullane was born at Ahmadnagar, India, in 1858 into an artillery family. He enlisted as a boy trumpeter in 1872 and rose to sergeant in the Royal Horse Artillery by 1880.

At Maiwand on 27 July 1880, with enemy troops only a few yards away and his battery retiring, he ran back for the wounded Driver Pickwell Istead and placed him on a limber. Istead died soon afterwards. During the retreat Mullane also entered a dangerous village to obtain water for the wounded. These actions earned the Victoria Cross, presented at Poona in July 1881.

He continued his artillery career, married Sarah Ann Harvey in 1884 and served in Britain and Canada before retiring to a pension in 1896. Re-enlisting in 1914, he was discharged unfit in January 1915. He died at Plaistow, London, on 20 November 1919 and was buried in St Patrick's Cemetery at Leytonstone.

Victoria Cross citation (excerpt)

“For conspicuous bravery during the action at Maiwand, on the 27th July, 1880”...

Source: The London Gazette, 17 May 1881, issue 24973, page 2553.