Stephen Garvin

Stephen Garvin VC, DCM

Stephen Garvin was born in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland, and was baptized on 19 August 1825. He was the son of James Garvin, a skinner, and Frances Garvin, née Ryan. He enlisted in the British Army in 1842, initially joining the 74th Regiment of Foot before transferring to the 60th Rifles. (VCGCA⁠)

Garvin served during the Punjab campaign of 1848–49 and later took part in operations on the North-West Frontier. By the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, he was serving as a Colour Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles. (Noonans Mayfair⁠)

Victoria Cross

On 23 June 1857, during the Siege of Delhi, mutineers occupied a fortified position known as the Sammy House. From there, they were directing a destructive fire against an advanced British battery of heavy guns.

Garvin volunteered to lead a small party under heavy fire to attack the building and drive out its defenders. After what the official citation described as a “sharp contest,” the position was successfully cleared. Garvin was also commended for his gallant conduct throughout the wider operations before Delhi. (Noonans Mayfair⁠)

His Victoria Cross citation stated:

“On the 23rd June, 1857, at Delhi, Colour-Sergeant Garvin volunteered to lead a small party of men under heavy fire to the Sammy House, in order to dislodge a number of the enemy who were keeping up a destructive fire on the advanced battery of heavy guns. This action was successful. Colour-Sergeant Garvin was also commended for gallant conduct throughout the operations before Delhi.”

The award was announced in the London Gazette on 20 January 1860. Garvin was personally presented with the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at Windsor on 9 November 1860. (Noonans Mayfair⁠)

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Garvin also received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for further gallantry during the Indian Mutiny.

Unlike his Victoria Cross, no complete individual citation for the DCM has been firmly identified. Garvin was wounded by gunshot on 3 September 1857, and later medal research has suggested that the action in which he was wounded was probably connected with the award. However, this remains a reasoned conclusion rather than a confirmed official citation and should not be presented as certain. (Noonans Mayfair⁠)

His distinction in receiving both the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the Indian Mutiny appears to have been unique. Contemporary medal research describes him as the most highly decorated non-commissioned British soldier to emerge from the conflict. (Noonans Mayfair⁠)

Garvin returned to Britain in 1860. After leaving the Regular Army, he served in the Militia and was later appointed to the Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard. (Noonans Mayfair⁠)

He eventually settled in Cambridge. Stephen Garvin died on 23 November 1874, aged 48, only months after the deaths of his second wife, Mary, and their infant daughter, Sophia. All three were buried together in St Andrew’s Churchyard, Chesterton, Cambridgeshire. (Noonans Mayfair⁠)