Joel Holmes

Joel Holmes
Born	c. 1821 Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire
Died	27 July 1872(1872-07-27) (aged 50–51) Halifax
Buried	All Souls Cemetery, Halifax
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Rank	Private
Unit	84th Regiment of Foot
Battles / wars	Indian Mutiny
Awards	Victoria Cross

Joel Holmes VC (c. 1821 – 27 July 1872) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was about 36 years old, and a private in the 84th Regiment (later The 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 25 September 1857 at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the VC.

Private Joel Holmes
For distinguished conduct in volunteering to assist in working a gun of Captain Maude's Battery, under heavy fire, from which gun nearly all the artillerymen had been shot away. (Extract from Field Force Orders of the late Major-General Havelock, dated 17 October 1857.)[1]

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The York & Lancaster Regiment Museum at Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England.

References

1. "No. 22154". The London Gazette. 18 June 1858. p. 2958.

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (West Yorkshire)