Richard Fitzgerald VC (December 1831, St. Finbar's, Cork, Ireland – 1884 in India) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross.
In Cork on 17 December 1851 he enlisted in the Bengal Horse Artillery, Bengal Army, for 12 years service, giving his trade as carpenter. He arrived in India to join his unit in November 1852.
Details He was a 25 year old Gunner in the 2nd Troop, 3rd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 28 September 1857 at Bolandshahr, India for which he and Sergeant Bernard Diamond were awarded the Victoria Cross:
In the months after his VC action, Fitzgerald took part in operations around Lucknow.
Returning to the UK, he was discharged from the army at Canterbury, Kent, in June 1863 and appears to have died in India in 1884.
Fitzgerald's VC and Indian Mutiny Medal are currently held by Bristol Museum.
References
Listed in order of publication year The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
Ireland's VCs (Dept of Economic Development 1995) Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999) Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, Four Courts, 2000 )