Regimental VC`s (Quebec)
Between 1866 and 1870, the Fenian raids of the Fenian Brotherhood, who were based in the United States, on British army forts, customs posts and other targets in Canada, were fought to bring pressure on Britain to withdraw from Ireland. They divided Catholic Irish- Canadians, many of whom were torn between loyalty to their new home and sympathy for the aims of the Fenians. The Protestants from Ulster were generally loyal to Britain and fought with the Orange Order against the Fenians. While the U.S. authorities arrested the men and confiscated their arms, there is speculation that some in the U.S. government had turned a blind eye to the preparations for the invasion, angered at actions that could have been construed as British assistance to the Confederacy during the American Civil War. There were five Fenian raids of note.
Regimental VC`s ( Quebec )
Timothy O’Hea VC (1843 – 1874) was born in Schull, County Cork 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.
O’Hea was about 23 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort`s Own ) of the British Army Stationed in Canada when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
“ On 9 June 1866 at Danville, Quebec, Canada, a fire broke out in a railway car containing 2000 lb (900 kg) of ammunition, between Quebec and Montreal. The alarm was given and the car was disconnected at Danville Railway Station. While the sergeant in charge was considering what should be done, Private O’Hea took the keys from his hand, rushed to the car, opened it and called for water and a ladder. It was due to this man’s example that the fire was suppressed
O’Hea was said to have died in the Tirari Desert-Sturt Stony Desert region of central Australia in November 1874 while searching for a lost member of the Leichhardt expedition. Graham Fischer was present at the death but did not describe the specifics on the event. A recent book by Elizabeth Reid, The Singular Journey of O’Hea’s Cross, poses the theory that Timothy O’Hea in fact died in Ireland, shortly after his discharge from the British Army in 1868. His identity and VC annuity were then assumed by his brother John, and it is this man who actually died in Australia.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the RGJ / Rifles Museum at the former Peninsula Barracks
Sourced from Wikipedia
original source from www.thegazette.co.uk