John Dunlay

John Dunlea
Secundra Bagh showing the first breach of the walls
Born	1831
Died	October 17, 1890(1890-10-17) (aged 58-59)
Place of birth	Douglas, County Cork
Place of death	Cork
Buried at	St Joseph's Cemetery, Cork
Allegiance	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Private
Unit	93rd Regiment of Foot
Battles/wars	Indian Mutiny
Awards	Victoria Cross

John Dunlea VC (1831 – 17 October 1863), also known as John Dunley or John Dunlea was an Irish 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.

He was approximately 26 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 93rd Regiment of Foot (later The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed on 16 November 1857 at Lucknow, India, took place for which he was awarded the VC:

Lance-Corporal J. Dunlea. Date of Act of Bravery, 16th November, 1857

For being the first man, now surviving, of the Regiment, who, on the 16th November, 1857 entered one of the breaches in the Secundra Bagh, at Lucknow, with Captain Burroughs, whom he most gallantly supported against superior numbers.
Elected by the private soldiers of the Regiment.

Secundra Bagh is a villa and country estate on the outskirts of Lucknow, India.

Dunlea was born in Douglas, County Cork and died in the South Infirmary, Cork on 17 October 1890.

References

• The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
• Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". pp. 185–287. 
• Irelands VCs (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

• History of Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
• Location of grave and VC medal in County Cork