Thomas Henry Kavanagh - Victoria Cross

In 1857 following increasing British occupation and domination in India, the natives mutinied. Rebel sepoy's in northern India recruited tens of thousands of civilian volunteers and threatened to engulf the entire subcontinent in revolt.

The British had suffered defeat at Delhi and Cawnpore (now Kanpur). Lucknow was the next major flashpoint. In June the city, on the banks of the river Gomti was under siege. The commander, Henry Lawrence, had heavily fortified the Residency compound within the city. By August the food was short, casualties were mounting and rats were everywhere. A relief force was promised but never materialised.

90 days after the siege began a thousand troops arrived on the outskirts of the city and began to fight their way to the compound. There were no maps of the city available to help and as they fought their way through the narrow side streets many troops were killed. When they reached the compound and closed the gates behind them there were too few left to help break the siege. The extra mouths now placed further strain on the meagre resources.  In October word arrived that a relieving  force was on it's way. The defenders were worried that the same fate would befall this new force.

A tall Irish postal worker, Thomas Henry Kavanagh volunteered to slip out of the Residency, make contact with the relief force and guide it back through the city to the compound. Kavanagh had gained a reputation for courage in the underground battles during the siege and his offer was accepted. Kavanagh made his way past checkpoints, swam the river Gomti and made contact with the British army.

The relief force made no attempt to enter the city but managed to pacify the area long enough for the Residency inhabitants to begin withdrawing, women and children first, on November 18th. When the rearguard left the city was given up to the mutineers, but the British flag which had flown day and night during the siege was removed to safety.

For his courage Thomas Henry Kavanagh was awarded the Victoria Cross. He is one of only five civilians to be awarded the VC. You can read Thomas Henry's personal account of his escape from the city here.

The VC awarded to Thomas is held by Militaria Collection Of www.historicalmilitaria.com of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The location of an Indian Mutiny Medal which he also received is unknown. If you know where this medal is locate please contact the webmaster.

A lot of the information and photographs of Thomas Henry appear courtesy of Richard & Doug Arman.

The photograph and information from the grave are courtesy of Richard Tomlinson.