Joseph Prosser

Joseph Prosser VC (21 January 1833-1869) was an Irish 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

Prosser was born in Monegal, County Offaly. He was approximately twenty seven years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment (later The Royal Scots - The Lothian Regiment), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On June 16 1855 at Sevastopol, Crimea, when on duty in the trenches, Private Prosser pursued and apprehended (while exposed to enemy cross-fire) a soldier in the act of deserting to the enemy. On August 11 he left the most advanced trench and helped to carry to safety a severely wounded soldier of the 95th Regiment who was unable to move. This act was performed under very heavy fire from the enemy.

Further information

He died in 1869. Grave/memorial at Buried at Anfield C. of E. Cemetery, Liverpool, England. Section 14. Grave 389. Ref: CH-17-2124/Burial 8887. Headstone erected 1995.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Scots Museum (Edinburgh Castle, Scotland).

References

Listed in order of publication year

• The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
• The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
• Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Liverpool)