Why queen refused VC to Private hailed a hero
THE Queen who gave her name to the Victoria Cross refused to grant the bravery award to a British soldier because she felt he had been “immoral” towards enemies he killed.
The story of why Private Patrick McGuire was denied the honour has re-emerged after more than 160 years as his other medals come up for auction.
Taken prisoner by Russian troops during the Crimean War, he seized a musket as he was being escorted back to their lines.
He shot dead one guard then overpowered the other before despatching him with the butt of the rifle.
Doubtful
Back in British lines he was given a hero’s reception.
His commanding officer later recommended him for the newly invented Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest award for gallantry, which was introduced after the conflict that lasted from 1853 to 1856.
However, Queen Victoria, who personally had to approve the bestowal of the medal, took exception to Pte McGuire’s deed during the siege of Sebastopol, describing it as of “very doubtful morality”.
She had a practical reason too. She feared it would lead to the “inhumane practice” of prisoners being executed to stop them from trying to overpower their captors.
A telegram agreeing other VCs on her behalf said: “There is only one case which the Queen thinks had better be omitted, Private P. McGuire of the 33rd. His deed, although publicly praised, was one of very doubtful morality.
“If pointed out by the sovereign as praiseworthy, it may lead to the cruel and inhumane practice of never making prisoners, but always putting to death those who may be overpowered for fear of their rising over their captors.”
McGuire was duly dropped from the list and instead awarded the lesser Distinguished Conduct Medal.
His medal collection has now been put up for sale at auction in London on February 28 for an estimated £5,000.
However, had it contained a VC, it would be worth 50 times that sum.
A spokesman for auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb said: “Very few men have been refused the Victoria Cross due to the personal intervention of the monarch, and the circumstances of Patrick McGuire’s story must surely make this a unique case.
“He was hailed as a hero by everyone. But Queen Victoria thought differently.
“She thought wasn’t cricket.”
Manchester-born Pte McGuire survived the war but died in 1862.
The Victoria Cross was first awarded to 111 men who fought in Crimea. There have been only 1,355 recipients in its 162-year history. what he did just