Books, Newspapers, The London Gazette 20000-24999, The London Gazette 21971

War Office, 24 February, 1857. The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the Decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Men of Her Majesty's Navy and Marines, and Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of Her Majesty's Army, who have been recommended to Her Majesty for that Decoration, — in accordance with the rules laid down in Her Majesty's Warrant of the 29th of January, 1856— on account of acts of bravery performed by them before the Enemy during the late War, as recorded against their several names, viz.:

Royal Navy (including the Naval Brigade employed on shore) and Royal Marines.

[24th February 1857]. Cecil William Buckley, Commander. Lord Lyons reports that—"Whilst serving as junior Lieutenant of the "Miranda," this Officer landed in presence of a superior force, and set fire to the Russian stores at Genitchi;" and "he also performed a similar desperate service at Taganrog." The first service referred to occurred after the shelling of the town of Genitchi, on the 29th May, 1855. After mentioning that the stores were in a very favourable position for supplying the Russian Army, and that, therefore, their destruction was of the utmost importance, Captain Lyons writes: "Lieutenant Cecil W. Buckley, Lieutenant Hugh T. Burgoyne, and Mr. John Roberts, gunner, volunteered to land alone, and fire the stores, which offer I accepted, knowing the imminent risk there would be in landing a party in presence of such a superior force, and out of gun-shot of the ships. This very dangerous service they most gallantly performed, narrowly escaping the Cossacks, who all but cut them off from their boat." (Despatch from Admiral Lord Lyons, 2nd June, 1855, No. 419.)

The second volunteer service was performed while the town of Taganrog was being bombarded by the boats of the Fleet, and is thus recorded by Captain Lyons:—"Lieutenant Cecil Buckley, in a four-oared gig, accompanied by Mr. Henry Cooper, Boatswain, and manned by volunteers, repeatedly landed and fired the different stores and Government buildings. This dangerous, not to say desperate service (carried out in a town containing upwards of 3,000 troops, constantly endeavouring to prevent it, and only checked by the fire of the boats' guns), was most effectually performed." (Despatch from Admiral Lord Lyons, 6th June, 1855, No, 429.)

[29th May 1855]. John Talbot Burgoyne, Commander. Lord Lyons writes:—"As Senior Lieutenant of the 'Swallow,' this Officer landed with Lieutenant Buckley, and Mr. J. Roberts, Gunner, in presence of a superior force, and set fire to the stores at Genitchi, a service of imminent risk." (Despatch from Admiral Lord Lyons, 2nd June, 1855, No. 419.) N.B.—This service has been previously described in the preceding notice of Lieutenant Buckley's services.

[29th May 1855]. John Roberts, Gunner. This Warrant Officer landed with Lieutenants Buckley and Burgoyne at Genitchi, in presence of a superior force, and set fire to the Stores, a service of imminent risk. (Despatch from Admiral Lord Lyons, 2nd June, 1855, No. 419.)

[29th May 1855]. Henry Cooper, Boatswain. Performed the desperate service of landing at Taganrog in pressnce of a large force, to set fire to the Government Stores. See preceding Memoir of Commander Buckley. (Admiral Lord Lyons' Despatch, 6th June, 1855, No. 429.)

[29th May 1855]. Joseph Trewavas, Seaman. Particularly mentioned as having cut the hawsers of the floating bridge in the Straits of Genitchi, under a heavy fire of musketry, on which occasion he was wounded." This service was performed by the crews of the Captain's gig, and of one of the paddle-box boats of the "Beagle," under a heavy fire of musketry at about a distance of eighty yards; the beach being completely lined .with troops, and the adjacent houses filled with Riflemen. Joseph Trewavas is especially men tioned in the despatches as having been the person who cut the hawser. (Despatch from Admiral Lord Lyons of 10th July, 1855, No. 546.)

[8th September 1855]. Joseph Kellaway, Boatswain. "Whilst Boatswain of the 'Wrangler,' in the Sea of Azoff, was taken prisoner after a stout resistance, whilst endeavouring to rescue Mr. Odevaine, Mate."

This gallant service was performed on shore near Marionpol. A detachment, consisting of Mr. Odevaine, Mate; Mr. Kellaway, Boatswain; and three Seamen, had been dispatched from the "Wrangler" to endeavour to burn some boats, fishing stations, and hay-stacks, on the opposite side of a small lake. They had nearly reached the spot, when they were fired upon by a party of fifty Russian soldiers, who suddenly rushed from their ambush, and endeavoured to cut off their retreat. One man fell into the enemy's hands, but Mr. Kellaway, and the two other seamen, had contrived to make good their escape, when Mr. Odevaine accidentally fell. Kellaway, apparently imagining him to be wounded, without a moment's hesitation returned to his rescue, risKing his own life to succour his Commanding Officer.

Unfortunately, while lifting up Mr. Odevaine, they were surrounded by the enemy, and, notwithstanding a gallant but hopeless resistance by Mr. Kellaway, they were both made prisoners. Commander Burgoyne, who has furnished these particulars, observes, "I was myself an observer of the zeal, gallantry, and self-devotion that characterized Mr. Kellaway's conduct." (Despatches from Admiral Lord Lyons, of 8th September, 1855, No. 746; and of 22nd September, 1855, No. 796.)

[24th February 1857]. Grenadier Guards. Brevet Major Sir Charles Russell (age 30); Bart. Offered to dislodge a party of Russians from the Sand-bag Battery, if any one would follow him; Serjeant Norman, Privates Anthony Palmer, and Bailey (who was killed) volunteered the first. The attack succeeded.