Patrick Roddy

He charged an armed opponent after his own charger was shot.

Patrick Roddy was born at Elphin, County Roscommon, Ireland, on 17 March 1827. Hardship during the potato famine took him to Liverpool, where he enlisted in 1848. After entering the Royal Artillery, he transferred to the Bengal Artillery and built his military career in India.

During the uprising of 1857, Roddy served with the force holding the Alambagh outside Lucknow. His conduct brought a commission as ensign in February 1858. He subsequently joined the Oudh Military Police Cavalry and served with the column commanded by Sir James Hope Grant.

On 27 September 1858, during the return of the Kapurthala contingent from Kuthirga, an armed rebel officer resisted the pursuing cavalry. Other riders hesitated to approach because the man knelt and aimed his percussion musket whenever they advanced.

Roddy charged him. The shot killed his horse, trapping him as the opponent attempted to strike. Roddy seized the man, freed himself sufficiently to draw his sword and killed him. The Victoria Cross recognized his personal initiative in the encounter. He received the decoration at a parade at Ferozepore in September 1861.

Promoted captain, Roddy continued a long Indian Army career. He served in the Abyssinian expedition of 1868 and received a mention in despatches and brevet advancement. During the Second Afghan War he was attached to the 20th Punjab Infantry and took part in the difficult flanking operations around Ali Musjid in November 1878. Further recognition and promotion followed.

He retired as a colonel in February 1887 after nearly four decades of service and settled in Jersey, his wife's home. He died there on 21 November 1895 and was buried in Mont a l'Abbe Cemetery, St Helier.

Official Victoria Cross citation

Major-General Sir James Hope Grant K.C.B., Commanding Oudh Force, bears testimony to the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Roddy, on several occasions. One instance is particularly mentioned. On the return from Kuthirga of the Kuppurthulla Contingent, on the 27th of September, 1858, this officer, when engaged with the enemy, charged a Rebel (armed with a percussion musket), whom the Cavalry were afraid to approach, as each time they attempted to do so, the Rebel knelt and covered his assailant; this, however, did not deter Lieutenant Roddy, who went boldly in, and when within six yards, the Rebel fired, killing Lieutenant Roddy’s horse, and before he could get disengaged from the horse, the Rebel attempted to cut him down. Lieutenant Roddy seized the Rebel until he could get at his sword, when he ran the man through the body. The Rebel turned out to be a subadar of the late 8th Native Infantry, – a powerful man, and a most determined character.

The London Gazette of 12 April 1859, Numb. 22248, p. 1483