Sergeant Henry Hartigan VC

Sergeant Hartigan was awarded the Victoria Cross for two separate acts of bravery during the Indian Mutiny. At the battle of Budli-ke-Serai, on 8 June 1857, during the siege of Delhi, he went to the assistance of Sergeant Helstone who was dismounted, wounded and surrounded by rebels. He rescued him and brought him to safety. On 10 Oct 1857, the 9th Lancers were camped at Agra when four mutineers, disguised as musicians entered the camp and were told to leave by Sergeant Crews. They pulled out hidden tulwars and killed him. Sergeant Hartigan saw what was happening and rushed unarmed to Crews’ aid. He punched a man in the mouth, seized his tulwar and although severely wounded in the head, fought off the insurgents, killing one and wounding two others.
Henry Hartigan was an Irishman, born at Drumlea, Enniskillen in March 1826. After joining the 9th Lancers he sailed to India and fought in the Second Sikh War of 1848-49. He was at Chillianwalah and Goojerat, earning a medal with two clasps. After his bravery in the Indian Mutiny he was awarded the VC, presented to him at Fort William, Calcutta, by Lady Hersey on 24 Dec 1860. He remained in India for the rest of his life and died in Calcutta on 29 Oct 1886.

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