b. 02/1835 Derry, Ireland. d. 16/05/1863 Allahabad, India.
John Park (1835-1863) was born in Derry, Ireland in February 1835 though, sadly little is known about his early life in Ireland prior to his Army service. Shortly prior to the outbreak of the Crimean War, he enlisted with the 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment of Foot, and he served with this regiment throughout the conflict.
Victoria Cross
Park’s Victoria Cross was awarded for three separate incidents: 20th September 1854 at the Battle of Alma, 5th November 1854 at the Battle of Inkerman and 19th April 1855 at the Siege of Sebastopol. His Victoria Cross was announced on 24th February 1857 (the announcement of the first Victoria Crosses in the London Gazette), and seven other Irishmen were gazetted with him. Little information is contained in the citation of his actions at the Battles of Alma and Inkerman other than he highly distinguished himself. On 19th April 1855, he was cited for his part in the taking of the Russian rifle pits at Sebastopol. His actions brought approval from Colonel Egerton. Park was severely wounded in the action at Sebastopol.
Park was unable to attend the first investiture of the VC at Hyde Park on 26th June 1857 due to serving overseas in India. The final part of his Army career was spent in India, where he sadly died on 16th May 1863 in Allahabad, aged just 28, from the effects of sunstroke. Park was buried in Allahabad Cemetery, albeit sadly in an unmarked grave.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NEWARKE HOUSE MUSEUM, LEICESTER.
BURIAL PLACE: ALLAHABAD CEMETERY, ALLAHABAD, INDIA. (UNMARKED GRAVE)
