James Owens (VC)

James Owens
Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol
Born	1827 Bailieborough, County Cavan
Died	20 August 1901 (aged 73–74) Romford, Essex
Buried	Lorne Road Cemetery, Brentwood
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	49th Regiment of Foot
Battles / wars	Crimean War
Awards	Victoria Cross

James Owens VC (1827 – 20 August 1901) was born in Killaine, Bailieborough, County Cavan and 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.

Details

He was about 27 years old, and a corporal in the 49th Regiment of Foot (later The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales's)), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 30 October 1854 at Sebastopol, in the Crimean Peninsula, Corporal Owens greatly distinguished himself in a personal encounter with the Russians, and gave assistance to a lieutenant of his regiment.

He later achieved the rank of Sergeant. He died Romford, Essex, 20 August 1901.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Rifles (Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum(Salisbury, Wiltshire, England).

References

Listed in order of publication year

• 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". The Irish Sword. XVI (64): 185–287.
• Ireland's VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Dictionary of Ulster Biography

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Essex)