Victoria Cross: M. Magner and J. Bergin

MICHAEL MAGNER

Drummer, 33rd Regiment

Born: 21 June 1840, County Fermanagh, Ireland
Died: 6 February 1897, Melbourne, Australia


JAMES BERGIN

Private, 33rd Regiment

Born: 29 June 1845, Killbriken, Queens County, Ireland
Died: 1 December 1880, Poona, India

Joint Citation:  For their conspicuous gallantry in the assault of Magdala on the 13th of April last.
Lieutenant-General Lord Napier reports that, whilst the head of the column of attack was checked by the obstacles at the gate, a small stream of Officers and men of the 33rd Regiment, and an Officer of Engineers, breaking away from the main approach to Magdala, and climbing up a cliff, reached the defences, and forced their way over the wall, and through the strong and thorny fence, thus turning the defenders of the gateway.
The first two men to enter, and the first in Magdala, were Drummer Magner and Private Bergin, of the 33rd Regiment.

[London Gazette issue 23405 dated 28 Jul 1868, published 28 Jul 1868.]

Note: Magdala is in northern Ethiopia.