First Army VC
Luke O’Connor became the first army recipient of the Victoria Cross, later having a remarkable rise through the ranks from private to major-general.
Luke O’Connor was born 21 January 1831 at Kilcroy, near Hillstreet, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. Having survived a childhood bout of smallpox he initially worked at the family-owned hotel in Boyle but left after a bitter argument. He went on to enlist as a private in the 23rd Foot, Royal Welch Fusiliers, on 21 July 1849.
O’Connor served with this regiment in the Crimean War and was promoted to coloursergeant in September 1854. During the Battle of the Alma, on 20 September 1854, he was escorting the regimental colours when the officer carrying the Queen’s Colour was mortally wounded. O’Connor snatched the flag from the ground and although he had been shot in the chest, he continued to carry it until the end of the battle. He received the thanks of General Sir George
Brown and General Sir William Codrington on the battlefield and was recommended for a commission. On 5 November 1854, he was commissioned ensign in the 23rd Foot and his subsequent promotions were all ‘without purchase’. Promoted lieutenant in 1855, he took part in the siege of Sevastapol and was wounded in both thighs during the assault on the Redan on 8 September 1855. On 24 February 1857, he was retrospectively gazetted for the Victoria Cross for actions at the Alma and the Redan. He was thus the first member of the British army* to receive the VC (albeit for an action carried out when the VC had not yet been introduced) and he attended the first investiture in Hyde
Park, receiving his medal from Queen Victoria. He was also awarded the British Crimean Medal (with Alma and Sevastapol clasps), the Sardinian and Turkish Crimean Medals, and Turkish Order of the Medjidie, 5th Class.
Promoted to captain in 1858, O’Connor served in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 - 1858, being present at the relief and capture of Lucknow, later serving in Gibraltar and Canada. After service in the Ashanti war of 1873 – 74, he was promoted major in 1874.
In August 1879, he became full colonel and went on the half-pay list in 1886, retiring in 1887 and being made an honorary major-general.
He died on 1 February 1915 at his residence in Clarges Street, London. *Note: Charles David Lucas was the first Royal Navy VC and is detailed on page 13.