Thomas Pride (VC)

Thomas Pride VC

Royal Navy — HMS Euryalus Captain of the After Guard

Thomas Pride VC was born on 29 March 1835 in Dorset, England. He entered the Royal Navy in 1854 and served during a period when British naval power was active across the world, including in East Asia. By 1864 he was serving aboard HMS Euryalus as Captain of the After Guard, a lower-deck naval rating or petty-officer appointment, not a commissioned captain’s rank.

Pride’s Victoria Cross was earned during the Shimonoseki Expedition in Japan. In 1864, forces loyal to the Prince of Chōshū attempted to close the Shimonoseki Straits to foreign shipping, firing on vessels that tried to pass. HMS Euryalus formed part of the international naval force sent to silence the batteries and reopen the passage.

On 6 September 1864, during the attack on the enemy stockade at Shimonoseki, Pride was one of two colour sergeants who accompanied Midshipman Duncan Gordon Boyes of HMS Euryalus as the Queen’s Colour was carried into action. Under fierce enemy fire, the party continued forward. The other colour sergeant was killed and Pride was severely wounded, but he and Boyes kept the flag flying and did not falter. They were only stopped from advancing further when ordered back by a superior officer.

For this conspicuous gallantry, Thomas Pride was awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest decoration for valour in the face of the enemy. He was presented with the medal at Portsmouth on 22 September 1865, alongside Duncan Gordon Boyes.

Pride was discharged from the Royal Navy in 1866. He died on 16 July 1893 and is buried at Branksome, Dorset. His Victoria Cross is preserved in the collection of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. His known medal entitlement includes the Victoria Cross and the China War Medal 1857–1860.

Victoria Cross citation summary

On 6 September 1864 at Shimonoseki, Japan, Thomas Pride, Captain of the After Guard, HMS Euryalus, accompanied Midshipman Duncan Gordon Boyes while carrying the Queen’s Colour into action during the capture of the enemy stockade. Despite heavy fire, the death of the other colour sergeant, and Pride being severely wounded, the Colour was kept flying until Pride and Boyes were ordered to halt by a superior officer.