Samuel Morley (VC)

Samuel Morley
Born December 1829 (1829-12)
Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham, England
Died 16 June 1888 (1888-06-17) (aged 58)
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Buried at General Cemetery, Nottingham
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Unit Military Train
Battles/wars Indian Mutiny
Awards Victoria Cross

Samuel Morley VC (sometimes Morely) (December 1829 – 16 June 1888) [1] was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross ("VC"), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Victoria Cross

On 15 April 1858, Morley was in position at Nathupur, near Azimgurh, in north-east India. Morley was a private in the 2nd Battalion, Military Train (later Royal Army Service Corps), British Army. During the fighting, Morley and Farrier Michael Murphy were severely wounded while defending an injured comrade, Lieutenant Hamilton, adjutant of the 3rd Sikh Cavalry. Hamilton died from his injuries the next evening. His citation reads:

2nd Battalion, Military Train, No. 201, Private Samuel Morley

Date of Act of Bravery, April 15, 1858

On the evacuation of Azimgurh by Koer Sing's Army, on the 15th of April, 1858, a Squadron of the Military Train, and half a Troop of Horse Artillery, were sent in pursuit. Upon overtaking them, and coming into action with their rear-guard, a Squadron of the 3rd Seikh Cavalry (also detached in pursuit), and one Troop of the Military Train, were ordered to charge, when Lieutenant Hamilton, who commanded the Seikhs, was unhorsed, and immediately surrounded by the Enemy, who commenced cutting and hacking him whilst on the ground. Private Samuel Morley, seeing the predicament that Lieutenant Hamilton was in, although his (Morley's) horse had been shot from under him, immediately and most gallantly rushed up, on foot, to his assistance, and in conjunction with Farrier Murphy, who has already received the Victoria Cross for the same thing, cut down one of the Sepoys, and fought over Lieutenant Hamilton's body, until further assistance came up, and thereby was the means of saving Lieutenant Hamilton from being killed on the spot.[2]

Although Murphy was gazetted and received his VC promptly, Morley did not. In May 1860, Morley complained during a parade. An investigation was held, and his medal was awarded. The announcement appeared in the London Gazette on 7 August 1860.

Post-army life

Morley died at age 58, on 16 June 1888 in Nottingham and is buried at the General Cemetery, Nottingham.

Morley's Victoria Cross can be viewed by prior arrangement only with the Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, Camberley, Surrey, England.

Family

Morley married Mary (born 1844 Aslockton, Nottinghamshire) at some point before 1881.[3]

References

  1. ↑ GRO Register of Deaths:JUN 1888 7b 183 NOTTINGHAM - Samuel Morley, aged 56
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 22411. p. 2934. 7 August 1860. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  3. ↑ UK Census 1881: 8 Garrett Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire - RG11/3358 f.122 p.86 - Samuel Morley, aged 48 born Ratcliffe Nottinghamshire, with wife Mary aged 37 born Aslockton Nottinghamshire


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