11 Facts About Luke O'Connor

Luke O'Connor was the first soldier to receive the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Luke O'Connor was born in Kilcroy, Hillstreet, in the parish of Aughrim, Co Roscommon in Ireland.

Luke O'Connor enlisted in the British Army as a young man.

On 20 September 1854, at the Battle of the Alma, Sergeant Luke O'Connor was advancing between two officers, carrying the Colour, when one of them was mortally wounded.

Sergeant Luke O'Connor was shot at the same time, but recovering himself, he snatched up the Colour from the ground and continued to carry it until the end of the action, although urged to retire to the rear on account of his wounds.

Luke O'Connor acted with great gallantry at the assault on the Redan where he was shot through both thighs.

The Victoria Cross did not exist at that time, but when it was created in 1856 Luke O'Connor was one of the 62 Crimean veterans invested by Queen Victoria at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857.

Luke O'Connor later achieved the rank of major general and was appointed colonel of his old regiment on 3 June 1914.

Luke O'Connor's VC is displayed at the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum in Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd, Wales.

Luke O'Connor died in Clarges Street, London, on 1 February 1915.

Luke O'Connor is buried at St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, London.