William Fraser McDonell


William Fraser McDonell VC was a British civil servant, judge and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He is one of only five civilians to have been awarded the VC.

Details

Educated at Cheltenham College and East India Company College, he was 27 years old, and a civilian in the Bengal Civil Service during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 30 July 1857 during the retreat from Arrah for which he was awarded the VC:
He was later a Judge of the High Court of Judicature in Calcutta from 1874 to 1876.

The Medal

His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

McDonell Monument Kolkata

Just adjacent to the Kolkata High Court is a forgotten water fountain dedicated to Willam Fraser McDonell