Victoria Cross awarded to William Dowling during the Indian Mutiny DOWLING AWARDED VICTORIA CROSS FOR THREE ACTS OF COURAGE AT SIEGE OF LUCKNOW A terrifying rebellion broke out in India against the rule of the British during 1857 lasting until 1859.  This was started by Indian troops in the service of the British East India Company ('John's Company') and it resulted in the power of the company being handed over to the British Crown. The causes of the mutiny were many but it was not a purely racial matter as many native Indians fought alongside the British.  Indiscipline among  native regiments and reactions to that indiscipline were also key trigger factors.  The main focus of the Mutiny was around the capital city of Delhi, where major conflicts were fought, but the most significant battle was fought at Lucknow. The city of Lucknow, capital of Oudh, saw great heroism and fortitude.  Governor Sir Henry Lawrence had decided not to try to disarm the rebels with his one British Regiment (32nd Foot (The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry) and four Native units.  This mistake and an aversion to removing tall religious structures within his perimeter left his forces vulnerable once under the siege which started on 30th June 1857. Every day that passed increased the ordeal for the British community trapped within the perimeter of the Residency.  On the second day of the siege Lawrence himself was mortally wounded  by a shell which crashed through the wall of his bedroom.  During the middle of July there were about 10 deaths of Europeans a day.  Outside battle casualties and sickness meant every man, even if wounded, was eventually on duty permanently.  The women also played a valuable part in resisting the rebels but moral was savagely hit by the death of children in the battle conditions.  Tremendous effort kept the British flag flying to keep hope in the hearts of those under fire. William Dowling was born in 1825 in Thomastown in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Ireland was part of the United Kingdom at the time and William joined the British Army and was sent to India. Aged 32, Private William Dowling of the 32nd Regiment (later The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry), was one of the soldiers in the midst of the siege at Lucknow.  On the 4th July he went out with two other men and spiked some of the enemies artillery.  This, under the cover of night, meant leaving the security of the enclosure and creeping within the enemy lines to drive a metal spike into the firing mechanism of the guns thus rendering them useless.  On this occasion the three man team had to kill a Subadur (Indian officer) to complete the task.  If they had been caught they would have been killed for sure. The artillery pounding continued on the enclosure.  On the 9th July Private Dowling went out again with three other men to spike some more guns.  When they reached the guns, at the same risks as before, the spikes they brought were two small to effect damage of the larger guns so they had to retire. Heat, torrential rain and the foul air from putrefying carcasses contributed to disease and food was very scarce. The siege was ended, on 25 September 1857, by relief from General Havelock's 78th Regiment (The Seaforth Highlanders).  Imagine the feelings of those within the dirty and shell shocked perimeter of burning buildings as above the gun fire they could hear the sound of the relieving column's muskets and skirl of their bagpipes.  The joy would have been short lived as no sooner had the Highlanders made it to the Residency then they themselves were under siege! On 27 September Private Dowling again went out yet again into enemy lines under very heavy fire and managed to spike a massive 18-pounder gun. The second siege went on until 17th November in the flimsy enclosure where almost sixty Victoria Crosses were won before ended with massive British reinforcements.  Photo taken by Jim Murphy William Dowling was promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry.  He died on 17 February 1887 and is buried in the Ford Cemetery Liverpool where a stone was unveiled to him 1990.  His Victoria Cross can be seen in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Museum in Bodmin in Cornwall, England. Name and Rank  (Rank at time of gazetting, Regiment at time of award) Action in which award was given and date Date of Gazette Private  32 Regiment  (Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry):  Dowling, W Lucknow 4 July 1857 9 July 1857 27 September 1857 21 November 1859   Sources:  The Story of the Victoria Cross 1856-1963 by Brigadier The Right Honorable Sir John Smyth, Bt., V.C., M.C., M.P.  Pub.: Frederick Muller Limited London (1963). The Great Mutiny-India 1857 by Christopher Hibbert.  Pub. Penguin Books London 1978. Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999) provides an accurate record of every known grave and memorial. The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997) provides the deed summary shown here. Website for more excellent information on the Victoria Cross: http://www.chapter-one.com/vc/awards Writer Jim Murphy (12 Aug 2007) currently writing a book on recipients of the Victoria Cross. (more information on William is still to come!!!) Link to "Indian Mutiny Medal" Roll.