Samuel Hill (VC)

He rescued his wounded captain amid the fighting at Lucknow.

Samuel Hill was born at Glenavy, County Antrim, in 1826. He enlisted in the 67th Regiment at Belfast in 1844 and transferred to the 90th Regiment in 1856. He went to India with that regiment during the rebellion.

During the fighting at Lucknow on 16-17 November 1857, Sergeant Hill repeatedly helped wounded comrades under fire. He was credited with saving Captain Irby by getting him to a stretcher and cutting down an attacker who threatened him. He also showed conspicuous courage during the subsequent operations to relieve the garrison. Chosen by the non-commissioned officers of his regiment, he received the Victoria Cross.

Hill remained with the 90th after the campaign and continued serving in India. He died at Meerut in February 1863 and was buried in St John’s Cemetery. The surviving accounts consulted provide little further reliable detail about his family or service between the rebellion and his death.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For gallant conduct on the 16th and 17th of November, 1857, at the storming of the Secundra Bagh at Lucknow, in saving the life of Captain Irby, warding off with his firelock a tulwar cut made at his head by a sepoy, and in going out under a heavy fire to help two wounded men. Also for general gallant conduct throughout the operations for the relief of the Lucknow garrison. Elected by the non-commissioned officers of the Regiment.

The London Gazette of 24 December 1858, Numb. 22212, p. 5514