Samuel Wassall
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Samuel Wassall (July 1856-31 January 1927) was an English 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.
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[edit] Details
He was 22 years old, and a private in the 80th Regiment (later The South Staffordshire Regiment), British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 January 1879 at Isandhlwana, Zululand, South Africa, when the camp was taken by the enemy, Private Wassall retreated towards the Buffalo River. There he saw a comrade struggling and apparently drowning. He rode to the bank and dismounted, leaving his horse on the Zulu side. He then rescued the man, mounted his horse and dragged his comrade across the river under a heavy shower of bullets.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Staffordshire Regiment (Lichfield, Staffordshire, England).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Cumbria)
- Various information relating to his life, his award and his death Collated by Rob Wassell as part of his genealogy site
