NAM.1951-02-17-1

Victoria Cross, 1879. From a medal group awarded to Pte Francis FitzPatrick, 2nd Bn The Connaught Rangers, 94th Regiment of Foot, for his action in Sekukuni’s Town, South Africa, on 28th November 1879. During an attack on Sekukuni’s Town, South Africa, on 28th November 1879, a lieutenant of the 1st Dragoon Guards was badly wounded. Pte Fitzpatrick and another private (Pte T Flawn) saved the life of Lt Dewar, 1st Dragoon Guards: one carrying him and the other covering the retreat with fire against the advancing enemy. Fitzpatrick was born in Clontibret, County Monaghan, Ireland in 1859. He served in both the Zulu War (1879) and Transvaal War (1880-1881). On 10th May 1882 he was discharged from the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and returned to England. He died in Glasgow on 13th July 1933. Lt Col P R Anstruther who commanded the 94th Regiment of Foot and presented the award to Fitzpatrick at Lydenburg, Transvaal on 17th September 1880, describes him in his correspondence as having mixed fortunes since the award was granted and as being a steady man ‘tempted to drink by some of his friends’. Pte T Flawn was also awarded a Victoria Cross for the his part in the same action.

Sekukuni Campaign (1878-1879)