27 July 2008

Victoria Cross: J. Jee

JOSEPH JEE, CB

Surgeon, 78th Regiment

Born: 9 February 1819, Hartshill, Warwickshire
Died: 17 March 1899, Queniborough Hall, Leicestershire

Citation: For most conspicuous gallantry and important Services, on the entry of the late Major-General Havelock's relieving force into Lucknow, on the 25th September, 1857, in having during action (when the 78th Highlanders, then in possession of the Char Bagh, captured two 9-pounders at the point of the bayonet), by great exertion and devoted exposure, attended to the large number of men wounded in the charge, whom he succeeded in getting removed on cots and the backs of their comrades, until he had collected the Dooly bearers who had fled. Subsequently, on the same day, in endeavouring to reach the Residency with the wounded men, Surgeon Jee became besieged by an overwhelming force in the Mote-Mehal, where he remained during the whole night and following morning, voluntarily and repeatedly exposing himself to a heavy fire in proceeding to dress the wounded men who fell while serving a 24-pounder in a most exposed situation. He eventually succeeded in taking many of the wounded, through a cross fire of ordnance and musketry, safely into the Residency, by the river-bank, although repeatedly warned not to make the perilous attempt.

(London Gazette issue 22445 dated 9 Nov 1860, published 9 Nov 1860.)

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