# List of Irish Victoria Cross recipients

List of Irish Victoria Cross recipients lists all recipients of the Victoria Cross (post-nominal letters "VC") born on the island of Ireland, together with the date and place of their VC action. The Victoria Cross is the highest war honour of the British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The whole island of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom until 1922 when it was partitioned into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State. On 18 April 1949, the Dominion of Ireland became the Republic of Ireland and left the Commonwealth as a result of the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 coming into effect. Despite this, citizens of the Republic of Ireland still enlist in the British Army and thus are eligible for the Victoria Cross and other British honours.

## Background

Established in 1856, the Victoria Cross has been awarded to service personnel for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing a hostile force. Between 1858 and 1881 the Victoria Cross could also be awarded for actions taken "under circumstances of extreme danger" not in the face of the enemy. Six people (four Irish, one English and one Canadian) were awarded Victoria Crosses under this clause (one in 1866 during the Fenian raids, five for a single incident in 1867 during the Andaman Islands Expedition), until it was amended in 1881 to only allow acts "in the presence of the enemy". It was awarded to members of the British Armed Forces which included Irish service personnel until 1922. It is currently available to personnel of any rank in any service, and to allies serving under or with British Forces. It is the highest honour in the Commonwealth honours system, placed before all other orders, decorations and medals.
Both Catholic and Protestant officers and servicemen born in Ireland served alongside each other in the British Military. During the previous two centuries they had a common military background, and irrespective of class or creed many were decorated with the British highest award for valour. 30 Irish VCs were awarded in the Crimean War, 59 Irish VCs in the Indian Mutiny, 46 Irish VCs in numerous other British Empire campaigns between 1857 and 1914, 37 Irish VCs in World War I, and eight Irish VCs in World War II.

## Recipients

This along with the * indicates that the Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously
| Name | Date of action | Conflict | Unit | Place of action |
| James Adams | 1879 | Second Afghan War | British Indian Army | Killa Kazi, Afghanistan |
| Augustus Agar | 1919 | Baltic Campaign 1918 | HM Coastal Motor Boat 4 | Kronstadt, Russia |
| John Alexander | 1855 | Crimean War | 09090th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Charles Anderson | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0022nd Queen's Dragoon Guards | Sandila, India |
| John Barry | 1901* | Second Boer War | Royal Irish Regiment | Monument Hill, South Africa |
| David Bell | 1867 | Andaman Islands Expedition | 02424th Regiment of Foot | Little Andaman, India |
| Edward Bell | 1854 | Crimean War | 02323rd Regiment of Foot | Alma, Crimea |
| Eric Bell | 1916* | First World War | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | Thiepval, France |
| William Beresford | 1879 | Anglo-Zulu War | 0099th Queen's Royal Lancers | Ulundi, South Africa |
| James Bergin | 1868 | Abyssinian Expedition | 03333rd Regiment of Foot | Magdala, Abyssinia |
| Edward Bingham | 1916 | First World War | HMS Nestor | Jutland, Denmark |
| Abraham Boulger | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 08484th Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| George Boyd-Rochfort | 1915 | First World War | Scots Guards | Cambrin, France |
| Joseph Bradshaw | 1855 | Crimean War | Rifle Brigade | Woronzoff Road, Crimea |
| William Bradshaw | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 09090th Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Edward Brown | 1900 | Second Boer War | 01414th King's Hussars | Geluk, South Africa |
| Francis Brown | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0011st European Bengal Fusiliers | Narnaul, India |
| Bryan Budd | 2006* | War in Afghanistan | 001Parachute Regiment | Sangin, Afghanistan |
| Hugh Burgoyne | 1855 | Crimean War | HMS Swallow | Sea of Azov, Crimea |
| Nathaniel Burslem | 1860 | Second Opium War | 06767th Regiment of Foot | Taku Forts, China |
| James Byrne | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 08686th Regiment | Jhansi, India |
| John Byrne | 1854 | Crimean War | 06868th Regiment of Foot | Inkerman, Crimea |
| Thomas Byrne | 1898 | Mahdist War | 02121st Lancers | Omdurman, Sudan |
| John Caffrey | 1915 | First World War | 0022nd York and Lancaster Regiment | La Brique, France |
| Daniel Cambridge | 1855 | Crimean War | Royal Artillery | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Patrick Carlin | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 01313th Regiment of Foot | Azumgurh, India |
| Geoffrey Cather | 1916* | First World War | Royal Irish Fusiliers | Hamel, France |
| Alexander Cobbe | 1902 | Somaliland Campaign | King's African Rifles | Erego, Somaliland |
| William Coffey | 1855 | Crimean War | 03434th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Nevill Coghill | 1879* | Anglo-Zulu War | 02424th Regiment of Foot | Isandhlwana South Africa |
| Hugh Colvin | 1917 | First World War | Cheshire Regiment | Ypres, Belgium |
| John Connors | 1855 | Crimean War | 0033rd Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| John Conolly | 1854 | Crimean War | 04949th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| William Cosgrove | 1915 | First World War | Royal Munster Fusiliers | Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Edmund Costello | 1897 | Siege of Malakand | 02222nd Punjab Infantry | Malakand, India |
| Cornelius Coughlan | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Gordon Highlanders | Delhi, India |
| Garrett Creagh | 1879 | Second Afghan War | Bombay Staff Corps | Kam Dakka, Afghanistan |
| Thomas Crean | 1901 | Second Boer War | Imperial Light Horse | Tygerkloof Spruit, South Africa |
| James Crichton | 1918 | First World War | New Zealand Expeditionary Force | Crèvecœur, France |
| John Crimmin | 1889 | Karenni Expedition | Bombay Medical Service | Lwekaw, Burma |
| John Cunningham | 1917* | First World War | Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment | Bois-en-Hache, France |
| John Danaher | 1881 | First Boer War | Nourse's Horse (Transvaal) | Elandsfontein, South Africa |
| Maurice Dease | 1914* | First World War | Royal Fusiliers | Mons, Belgium |
| Denis Dempsey | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 01010th Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Bernard Diamond | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bengal Horse Artillery | Bulandshahr, India |
| Edmund De Wind | 1918* | First World War | Royal Ulster Rifles | Groagie, France |
| John Divane | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 06060th Rifles | Delhi, India |
| Patrick Donohoe | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0099th Queen's Royal Lancers | Bulandshahr, India |
| John Doogan | 1881 | First Boer War | 0011st King's Dragoon Guards | Laing's Nek, South Africa |
| William Dowling | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 03232nd Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Martin Doyle | 1918 | First World War | Royal Munster Fusiliers | Reincourt, France |
| James Duffy | 1917 | First World War | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | Kereina Peak, Palestine |
| Thomas Duffy | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 102102nd Madras Fusiliers | Lucknow, India |
| John Dunlay | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 09393rd Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Denis Dynon | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 05353rd Regiment of Foot | Chota Behar, India |
| Frederick Edwards | 1916 | First World War | Middlesex Regiment | Thiepval, France |
| James Emerson | 1917* | First World War | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | La Vacquerie, France |
| William English | 1901 | Second Boer War | The Scottish Horse | Vlakfontein, South Africa |
| Harold Ervine-Andrews | 1940 | Second World War | East Lancashire Regiment | Dunkirk, France |
| Eugene Esmonde | 1942* | Second World War | 825825 Naval Air Squadron | Straits of Dover |
| Thomas Esmonde | 1855 | Crimean War | 01818th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| John Farrell | 1854 | Crimean War | 01717th Lancers | Balaklava, Crimea |
| Edward Fegen | 1940 | Second World War | HMS Jervis Bay | Atlantic Ocean |
| Charles FitzClarence | 1899 | Second Boer War | Royal Fusiliers | Mafeking, South Africa |
| Richard Fitzgerald | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bengal Horse Artillery | Bulandshahr, India |
| Andrew Fitzgibbon | 1860 | Second Opium War | 06767th Regiment of Foot | Taku Forts, China |
| Francis Fitzpatrick | 1879 | Basuto War | 09494th Regiment of Foot | Sekukuni's Town, South Africa |
| Thomas Flinn | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 06464th Regiment of Foot | Cawnpore, India |
| George Forrest | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bengal Veteran Establishment | Delhi, India |
| Edmund Fowler | 1879 | Anglo-Zulu War | Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) | Zlobane Mountain, South Africa |
| George Gardiner | 1855 | Crimean War | 05757th Regiment of Foot | Sebastopol, Crimea |
| Donald Garland | 1940* | Second World War | No. 12 Squadron RAF | Albert Canal, Belgium |
| Stephen Garvin | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 06060th Rifles | Delhi, India |
| Peter Gill | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Loodiana Regiment | Benares, India |
| Henry Gore-Browne | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 03232nd Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Charles Gough | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 5th Bengal European Light Cavalry | Lucknow, India |
| Hugh Gough | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry | Lucknow, India |
| John Gough | 1903 | Somaliland Campaign | Rifle Brigade | Daratoleh, Somaliland |
| Thomas Grady | 1854 | Crimean War | 0044th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Patrick Graham | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 09090th Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Peter Grant | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 09393rd Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Patrick Green | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 07575th Regiment of Foot | Delhi, India |
| William Griffiths | 1867 | Andaman Islands Expedition | 02424th Regiment of Foot | Little Andaman, India |
| Thomas Hackett | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 02323rd Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Frederick Hall | 1915* | First World War | 0088th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion | Ypres, Belgium |
| Walter Hamilton | 1879 | Second Afghan War | Staff CorpsStaff Corps and Corps of Guides | Futtehabad, Afghanistan |
| Robert Hanna | 1917 | First World War | 02929th Battalion, CEF | Lens, France |
| John Harrison | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Naval Brigade | Lucknow, India |
| Reginald Hart | 1879 | Second Afghan War | Royal Engineers | Bazar Valley, Afghanistan |
| Henry Hartigan | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0099th Queen's Royal Lancers | Delhi, India |
| Frederick Harvey | 1917 | First World War | Lord Strathcona's Horse | Guyencourt, France |
| Robert Hawthorne | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 05252nd Regiment of Foot | Delhi, India |
| Samuel Hill | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 09090th Regiment | Lucknow, India |
| John Holland | 1916 | First World War | Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment | Guillemont, France |
| Thomas Hughes | 1916 | First World War | Connaught Rangers | Guillemont, France |
| Charles Irwin | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 05353rd Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| James Jackman | 1941* | Second World War | Royal Northumberland Fusiliers | Tobruk, Libya |
| Edward Jennings | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bengal Artillery | Lucknow, India |
| Robert Johnston | 1899 | Second Boer War | Imperial Light Horse (Natal) | Elandslaagte, South Africa |
| Henry Jones | 1855 | Crimean War | 0077th Regiment | Sebastopol, Crimea |
| Thomas Kavanagh | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bengal Civil Service | Lucknow, India |
| Richard Keatinge | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bombay Artillery | Chundairee, India |
| Richard Kelliher | 1943 | Second World War | AustralianAustralian Imperial Force | New Guinea, Pacific |
| Henry Kelly | 1916 | First World War | Duke of Wellington's Regiment | Le Sars, France |
| William Kenealy | 1915 | First World War | Lancashire Fusiliers | Gallipoli, Turkey |
| James Kenny | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 53rd Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| William Kenny | 1914 | First World War | Gordon Highlanders | Ypres, Belgium |
| William Kenny | 1920* | Waziristan Campaign | 03939th Garhwal Rifles | Kot Kai, India |
| George Lambert | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 08484th Regiment of Foot | Oonao, India |
| Thomas Lane | 1860 | Second Opium War | 06767th Regiment of Foot | Taku Forts, China |
| Thomas Laughnan | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bengal Artillery | Lucknow, India |
| Samuel Lawrence | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 03232nd Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Edward Leach | 1879 | Second Afghan War | Royal Engineers | Maidanah, Afghanistan |
| William Leet | 1879 | Anglo-Zulu War | 01313th Regiment of Foot | Inhlobana, South Africa |
| William Lendrim | 1855 | Crimean War | Royal Engineers | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Owen Lloyd | 1893 | Kachin Expedition | Army Medical ServicesArmy Medical Service | Fort Sima, Burma |
| David Lord | 1944* | Second World War | No. 271 Squadron RAF | Battle of Arnhem, Netherlands |
| Charles Lucas | 1854 | Crimean War | HMS Hecla | Åland, Finland |
| John Lucas | 1861 | First Taranaki War | 04040th Regiment of Foot | New Zealand |
| John Lyons | 1855 | Crimean War | 01919th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Harry Lyster | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 07272nd Bengal Native Infantry | Calpee, India |
| Ambrose Madden | 1854 | Crimean War | 04141st Regiment | Little Inkerman, Crimea |
| James Magennis | 1945 | Second World War | HMS XE3 | Johore Straits, Singapore |
| Michael Magner | 1868 | Abyssinian Expedition | 03333rd Regiment of Foot | Magdala, Abyssinia |
| Patrick Mahoney | 1857* | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 102102nd Madras Fusiliers | Mungulwar, India |
| William Manley | 1864 | New Zealand Wars | Royal Artillery | Tauranga, New Zealand |
| Edward Mannock | 1918* | First World War | No. 74 Squadron RAF | Western Front |
| James Masterson | 1900 | Second Boer War | Devonshire Regiment | Ladysmith, South Africa |
| Frederick Maude | 1855 | Crimean War | 0033rd Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Charles McCorrie | 1855 | Crimean War | 05757th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| William McFadzean | 1916* | First World War | Royal Ulster Rifles | Thiepval Wood, France |
| John McGovern | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 101101st Regiment of Foot | Delhi, India |
| James McGuire | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 101101st Regiment of Foot | Delhi, India |
| Patrick McHale | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0055th Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Peter McManus | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0055th Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Bernard McQuirt | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 09595th Regiment of Foot | Rowa, India |
| William McWheeney | 1854 | Crimean War | 04444th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Martin Moffat | 1918 | First World War | Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment | Ledeghem, Belgium |
| Arthur Moore | 1857 | Anglo-Persian War | 0033rd Bombay Light Cavalry | Khushab, Persia |
| Hans Moore | 1877 | Cape Frontier Wars | 08888th Regiment | Komgha, South Africa |
| Robert Morrow | 1915* | First World War | Royal Irish Fusiliers | Messines, Belgium |
| John Moyney | 1917 | First World War | Irish Guards | Broembeek, Belgium |
| Andrew Moynihan | 1855 | Crimean War | 09090th Regiment of Foot | Redan, Crimea |
| Patrick Mullane | 1880 | Second Afghan War | Royal Horse Artillery | Maiwand, Afghanistan |
| Michael Murphy | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 01717th Lancers | Azumgurh, India |
| Thomas Murphy | 1867 | Andaman Islands Expedition | 02424th Regiment of Foot | Little Andaman, India |
| James Murray | 1881 | First Boer War | 08888th Regiment | Elandsfontein, South Africa |
| John Murray | 1864 | New Zealand Wars | 06868th Regiment of Foot | Tauranga, New Zealand |
| Patrick Mylott | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 08484th Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Michael John O'Leary | 1917 | First World War | Irish Guards | Cuinchy, France |
| William Nash | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Rifle Brigade | Lucknow, India |
| David Nelson | 1914 | First World War | Royal Artillery | Néry, France |
| Claude Nunney | 1918* | First World War | 03838th Battalion, CEF | Drocourt-Quéant Line, France |
| George Nurse | 1899 | Second Boer War | Royal Field Artillery | Colenso, South Africa |
| Luke O'Connor | 1854 | Crimean War | 02323rd Regiment of Foot | Alma, Crimea |
| Timothy O'Hea | 1866 | Fenian raids on Canada | Rifle Brigade | Danville, Quebec, Canada |
| Michael John | 1915 | First World War | Irish Guards | Cuinchy, France |
| William Olpherts | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bengal Artillery | Lucknow, India |
| Martin O'Meara | 1916 | First World War | 0011st Division (Australia) | Pozières, France |
| Michael O'Rourke | 1917 | First World War | 0077th Battalion, CEF | Hill 70, France |
| Gerald O'Sullivan | 1915 | First World War | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Edmund O'Toole | 1879 | Anglo-Zulu War | Frontier Light Horse | Ulundi, South Africa |
| James Owens | 1854 | Crimean War | 04949th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| John Park | 1854 | Crimean War | 07777th Regiment of Foot | Alma, Crimea |
| James Pearson | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 08686th Regiment of Foot | Jhansi, India |
| Dighton Probyn | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0022nd Punjab Cavalry | Agra, India |
| Joseph Prosser | 1855 | Crimean War | 0011st Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| John Purcell | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0099th Queen's Royal Lancers | Delhi, India |
| Robert Quigg | 1916 | First World War | Royal Ulster Rifles | Hamel, France |
| Hamilton Reed | 1899 | Second Boer War | Royal Field Artillery | Colenso, South Africa |
| James Reynolds | 1879 | Anglo-Zulu War | Army Medical ServiceArmy Medical Service | Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa |
| George Richardson | 1859 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 03434th Regiment of Foot | Kewane Trans-Gogra, India |
| Richard Ridgeway | 1879 | Naga Hills Expedition | Bengal Staff Corps | Konoma, India |
| Frederick Roberts | 1899* | Second Boer War | King's Royal Rifle Corps | Colenso, South Africa |
| Clement Robertson | 1917* | First World War | Queen's Royal Regiment | Zonnebeke, Belgium |
| Patrick Roddy | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Bengal Army | Kuthirga, India |
| Robert Rogers | 1860 | Second Opium War | 04444th Regiment of Foot | Taku Forts, China |
| George Roupell | 1915 | First World War | East Surrey Regiment | Hill 60, Belgium |
| John Ryan | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 102102nd Madras Fusiliers | Lucknow, India |
| John Ryan | 1863 | New Zealand Wars | 06565th Regiment of Foot | Cameron Town, New Zealand |
| Miles Ryan | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 101101st Regiment of Foot | Delhi, India |
| Robert Scott | 1900 | Second Boer War | Manchester Regiment | Natal, South Africa |
| John Sinnott | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 08484th Regiment of Foot | Lucknow, India |
| Michael Sleavon | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | Royal Engineers | Jhansi, India |
| Frederick Smith | 1864 | New Zealand Wars | 04343rd Regiment of Foot | Tauranga, New Zealand |
| Philip Smith | 1855 | Crimean War | 01717th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| James Somers | 1915 | First World War | Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Dudley Stagpoole | 1863 | New Zealand Wars | 05757th Regiment of Foot | Poutoko, New Zealand |
| John Sullivan | 1855 | Crimean War | Naval Brigade | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| William Temple | 1863 | New Zealand Wars | Royal Artillery | Rangiriri, New Zealand |
| James Travers | 1857 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0022nd Bengal Native Infantry | Indore, India |
| Mark Walker | 1854 | Crimean War | 03030th Regiment of Foot | Inkerman, Crimea |
| Joseph Ward | 1858 | Indian Rebellion of 1857 | 0088th King's Royal Irish Hussars | Gwalior, India |
| George White | 1879 | Second Afghan War | 09292nd Regiment of Foot | Charasiah, Afghanistan |
| Alexander Wright | 1855 | Crimean War | 07777th Regiment of Foot | Sevastopol, Crimea |
| Alexander Young | 1901 | Second Boer War | Cape Police | Ruiterskraal, South Africa |