Victoria Cross, Private John Ryan, 1st Madras European Fusiliers, 26 September 1857 (metal)

Victoria Cross awarded to Private (later Sergeant) John Ryan, 1st Madras European Fusiliers, for his actions at Lucknow on 26 September 1857. As Sir Henry Havelock’s relieving force fought its way into Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), two surgeons and a number of soldiers found themselves besieged in a house in the city. Under heavy fire, Private Ryan, with another man, rescued a wounded captain from a dhooly (covered litter) and pulled him to safety. Throughout the day, Ryan continued to rescue wounded men, thus saving them from certain death at the hands of the rebels. Ryan was decorated with the Victoria Cross by Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, KCB in India in 1859.