Samuel Parkes

He defended a fallen comrade with his sword against horsemen

Samuel Parkes came from Wigginton, Staffordshire. A labourer, he enlisted in the 4th Light Dragoons in 1831. He served in India, including the First Afghan War and the capture of Ghuznee.

On 25 October 1854 at Balaklava, Parkes took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade. After his horse was shot, he defended Trumpet-Major Hugh Crawford, whose horse had also fallen. Fighting with his sword against Russian horsemen, Parkes continued protecting his comrade until a shot disabled his weapon. He was taken prisoner and remained captive until 1855. His conduct earned the Victoria Cross, presented at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857.

After his release, an inquiry cleared his conduct and restored his pay. He left the Army in December 1857 and became a constable at Hampton Court before serving as an inspector with the Royal Parks police at Hyde Park. He married Anne Jeffry in 1858. Parkes died in London on 15 November 1864.

Official Victoria Cross citation

In the charge of the Light Cavalry Brigade at Balaklava, Trumpet-Major Crawford’s horse fell, and dismounted him, and he lost his sword; he was attacked by two Cossacks, when Private Samuel Parkes (whose horse had been shot) saved his life, by placing himself between them and theTrumpet-Major,and drove them away by hissword. In attempting to follow the Light Cavalry Brigade in the retreat, they were attacked by six Russians, whom Parkes kept at bay, and retired slowly, fighting,and defending the Trumpet-Major for some time, until deprived of his sword by a shot.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 24 February 1857. 24 February 1857, Numb. 21971, p. 655