Photo submitted by Simon Manchee

John Edmund Commerell (VC, GCB) was an English 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.

Details

He was 26 years old, and a Commander in the Royal Navy during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 11 October 1855 in the Sea of Azov, Crimea, Commander Commerell of HMS Weser, with the Quartermaster (William Thomas Rickard) and a seaman, went to destroy large quantities of forage on the shore of the Putrid Sea. After a difficult and dangerous journey they reached their objective - a magazine of corn - and managed to ignite the stacks, but the guards were alerted and immediately opened fire and gave chase. The pursuit was so hot that the men had difficulty in escaping, but they finally reached their ship and the lookouts later reported that the fodder store had burned to the ground.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Admiral.

Victoria Cross, Source: Veterans Affairs Canada

The medal

Reference

See also

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/kent.htm) (Kent)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net) with permission.