b. 1831 Douglas, County Cork, Ireland. d. 17/10/1890 Cork, Ireland.
John Dunlay (1831-1890) is a recipient of which sadly very little is known. He was born in Douglas, County Cork, Ireland in 1831. He enlisted with the 93rd Regiment of Foot (later Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) and was posted to the Indian Mutiny in 1857.
John Dunlay VC Medal
On 16th November 1857, during the assault on the Secundra Bagh in Lucknow, Dunlay was one of the first men through the breach in the outer wall, and supported Captain Burroughs, in fighting against superior rebel numbers. Dunlay’s gallantry was noticed by his fellow privates, and he was elected by them for the award of the Victoria Cross. His award was published in the London Gazette on 24th December 1858.
He returned to the UK with his regiment following the Mutiny, and received his medal from Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle on 4th January 1860. Little is known of what happened to him after this date, except that he died on 17th October 1890, aged 58, in South Infirmary, Cork, Ireland following an accident. The location of his final resting place is unknown. His medals are in the Sheesh Mahal Museum, Patiala, India along with the musket ball which was removed from his knee following the Lucknow action.
LOCATION OF MEDAL:SHEESH MAHAL MUSEUM, PATIALA, INDIA.
BURIAL PLACE: ST JOSEPH’S CEMETERY, CORK, IRELAND.
