Thomas Bernard Hackett

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Bernard Hackett VC

Thomas Bernard Hackett was born at Riverstown, County Tipperary, Ireland, on 15 June 1836. He entered the British Army by purchase as an ensign in the 23rd Regiment of Foot, later the Royal Welch Fusiliers, on 7 June 1854 and was promoted lieutenant on 9 February 1855.

Hackett joined his regiment in the Crimea on 5 June 1855. He served during the siege of Sevastopol and took part in the unsuccessful assault on the Redan on 18 June. For his Crimean service, he received the Crimea Medal with the clasp Sebastopol and the Turkish Crimea Medal.

During the Indian Mutiny, Hackett served with the 23rd Regiment during Sir Colin Campbell’s operations to relieve the besieged British garrison at Lucknow. On 18 November 1857, during the fighting near the Secundra Bagh, Hackett and several others went out under extremely heavy fire to rescue a wounded corporal of the regiment who was lying exposed.

Private George Monger, then only 17 years old, volunteered to accompany Hackett and was separately awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the rescue.

Hackett performed another conspicuous act of bravery when he climbed onto the roof of a bungalow under heavy fire and cut away its thatch to prevent the building from being set alight. The service was considered particularly important because fire could have forced the British troops from their position.

Hackett was promoted captain by purchase on 26 January 1860. His Victoria Cross was presented by General Sir Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde, at Lucknow in May 1860. He subsequently received the Indian Mutiny Medal with the clasps Relief of Lucknow and Lucknow.

Remaining with the 23rd Regiment, Hackett later served during the Ashanti campaign of 1873–74, for which he received the Ashantee Medal without a clasp. He retired from the Army with the rank of lieutenant-colonel on 1 April 1874 and returned to Ireland.

On 4 October 1880, Hackett was out shooting near Arrabeg, King’s County, when he attempted to force his way through a hedge. His firearm accidentally discharged, severely wounding him in the abdomen. He died from his injuries on 5 October 1880, aged 44. An inquest returned a verdict of accidental death.

He was buried in the Marshall family plot at Lockeen Churchyard near Borrisokane, County Tipperary. His medal group is held in the Lord Ashcroft Collection at the Imperial War Museum in London. London Gazette citation⁠, Victoria Cross and George Cross Association profile⁠