VC Heroes
Mark Walker VC
Captain Mark Walker VC (seated), 30th Regiment of Foot, pictured by Roger Fenton issuing orders to his subordinates, Crimea, 1855. NAM 1964-12-151-17
Born in Ireland, Lieutenant Mark Walker was serving as Adjutant in the 30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment when he won the VC for gallantry at Inkerman on 5 November 1854.
When his unit was attacked and in immediate danger of being overwhelmed by Russian infantry, Walker jumped over the wall behind which his men were sheltering and led them forward in a counter-attack that caused the enemy to flee.
Walker was wounded in the charge and later lost an arm. He nevertheless continued his career as an officer in the 3rd (The East Kent) Regiment and saw active service again as a Brigade Major in the Second China War (1857-1860), for which he was mentioned in despatches.
He ended his 46-year army career as a General, receiving a knighthood in 1893, and died at Folkestone in 1902 at the age of 75.
As well as Walker’s VC the National Army Museum also holds his Crimean War journal. In the entry for 10 June 1855 the handwriting of Walker alters dramatically, his entry for the day explains why:
General Sir Mark Walker's Victoria Cross and Star of a Knight Commander (KCB). NAM 2001-02-431
'Last night I went on with the reserve, just as I got into our approach which joins the trench on the right heavy firing commenced at the Mamelon. While I was in the act of hurrying the men up a howitzer shell dropped beside me and exploded. A piece struck me on the right elbow and smashed it. I immediately tied a large handkerchief above the fracture and walked to the rear until I met some of the 55th who put me on a stretcher and carried me to Camp. I received great kindness from my new brother officers. After some time I was carried to a hut at the General Hospital where I now am. I was put under chloroform and on coming to consciousness I found my arm taken off above the elbow during the night and today I suffered a good deal of pain. The loss I have experienced is very great but I am very thankful that my life has been spared. The hut has been filled with sympathising visitors particularly my old comrades of the 30th’.
Sam Browne VC
VC and medal group awarded to General Sir Sam Browne. NAM 1999-09-55
Sam Browne (1824-1901) was born in India, the son of a surgeon of the Bengal Army. He joined the East India Company’s Army as an Ensign in the 46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry and served throughout the Second Sikh War (1848-1849) and in campaigns on the North West Frontier, where he commanded the 2nd Punjab Cavalry. During the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) Browne received the VC for his bravery at Seerporah on 31 August 1858, when he led a successful attack on the enemy guns, engaging in hand to hand combat. During the struggle he was severely wounded and lost his left arm.
Browne went on to command the Punjab Cavalry and the Corps of Guides before playing a distinguished part in the Second Afghan War (1878-1880). While commanding the 1st Division of the Peshawar Field Force, he captured the Ali Musjid fortress and forced the Khyber Pass. For these services he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1879 and received the thanks of Parliament.
Browne later reached the rank of General and is famous for inventing the ‘Sam Browne’ belt. The latter made it easier for him to carry and use a sword and pistol after his injury.
