- William Raynor
William Raynor VC (July, 1795 - 13 December 1860) 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.Details
He was about 61 years old, and a
lieutenant in theBengal Veteran Establishment ,Indian Army during theIndian rebellion of 1857 when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.On 11 May 1857 in the
Siege of Delhi ,India , Lieutenant Raynor was one of nine men who defended the Magazine for more than five hours against large numbers of rebels and mutineers, until, on the wall being scaled and there being no hope of help, they fired the Magazine. Five of the gallant band died in the explosion and one shortly afterwards, but many of the enemy were killed. See also John Buckley and George Forrest.Further information
Thought to be the oldest winner of the VC at 61 years 10 months. [ Annabel Merullo and Neil Wenborn (Editors), [http://books.google.com/books?id=mzQrILMsh0IC&pg=PA175&dq=%22William+Raynor%22+%22victoria+cross%22&ei=-WWCSNDcJY_aigGg-Z20CA&sig=ACfU3U2YkiDCXxepv7Sd6cQHIqdGT1Y6JA British Military Greats.] Cassell Illustrated, 2006. ISBN-13: 9781844034215; page 175.] He later achieved the rank of
captain .The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the
Royal Logistic Corps Museum "(Camberly, Surrey, England)".References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
