Sergeant John Farrell VC

Sergeant John Farrell was in the 17th Lancers when they charged the Russian Guns at Balaclava. His horse was shot from under him and he went to the assistance of TSM Berryman and Sgt Malone to help a wounded officer of the 17th. He was awarded the VC and sailed to England to receive it from the Queen on 26 June 1857.
John Farrell was born in Dublin in March 1826 and enlisted in the 17th Lancers c1845, reaching the rank of sergeant before they sailed to the Crimea. After receiving his VC medal he joined the 17th who were operating in Central India in the latter stages of the Indian Mutiny. He was promoted to quartermaster sergeant and took part in operations at Secunderabad on 31 Aug 1865. He was killed in action that day and buried in the cemetery there. The illustration by Harry Payne depicts the act of bravery after the Charge of the Light Brigade.

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