Cornelius Coughlan


Cornelius Coughlan VC 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 28 years old, and a Colour Sergeant in the 75th Regiment of Foot, British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following action took place on 8 June and 18 July 1857 at Delhi, India for which he was awarded the VC:
Queen Victoria wrote a personal letter to Sgt Major Coughlan after hearing about his acts of bravery.

Further information

The soldier returned from India to serve for two decades in the Connaught Rangers in his native Ireland achieving the rank of sergeant-major.
He died in Westport, County Mayo on 14 February 1915 and is buried locally in Aughavale Cemetery near Murrisk.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland .

Coughlan remembered

In August 2004 a retired Irish Army Officer, Captain Donal Buckley of Military Heritage Tours erected a headstone at the previously unmarked grave in Aughavale Cemetery, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland. The Irish Defence Minister unveiled the headstone. The ceremony was attended by the British Ambassador and the British Defence Attaché. Many Regimental, ex-servicemen and historical associations from Ireland and the UK attended and participated in the ceremony which followed an ecumenical service.
More than 500 people, including descendants from Bradford and Glasgow in the UK, watched as 10 Connaught Rangers re-enactors from Ireland and the UK fired a volley of shots over his grave*.