Richard Wadeson

He saved both comrades attacked by enemy cavalry under fire.

Richard Wadeson was born in Lancashire on 31 July 1826. He enlisted in the 75th Regiment at Manchester in 1843, rose through the non-commissioned ranks and received a commission during the Indian rebellion in 1857.

At Delhi on 18 July 1857, Wadeson saved Private Michael Farrell when cavalrymen attacked him in the Subzi Mandi fighting. On the same occasion he also saved Private John Barry, who had been wounded by a sabre. These rescues earned the Victoria Cross. He was seriously wounded during the September assault on Delhi.

Remaining in the Army, he became adjutant and rose to command the 75th Regiment as lieutenant colonel in 1875. He retired on half-pay with brevet colonel’s rank in 1880 and became lieutenant governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 1881. He died there on 24 January 1885 and was buried in Brompton Cemetery.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For conspicuous bravery at Delhi on the 18th of July, 1857, when the Regiment was engaged in the Subjee Mundee, in having saved the life of Private Michael Farrell, when attacked by a Sowar of the enemy’s Cavalry, and killing the Sowar. Also, on the same day, for rescuing Private John Barry, of the same Regiment, when, wounded and helpless, he was attacked by a Cavalry Sowar, whom Lieutenant Wadeson killed.

The London Gazette of 24 December 1858, Numb. 22212, p. 5518