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William Peel
Photo: John Lucas (1860), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons11

William Peel

Recipient of the Victoria Cross

Captain Sir William Peel VC KCB (2 November 1824 – 27 April 1858) was a British naval officer and 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. He was the third son of the Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel and his wife Julia.2

From Wikipedia’s article on William Peel (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Nov 2, 1824, died Apr 27, 1858.1

About

Like his father, he was educated at Harrow School.

He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and thus became Sir William Peel.

From Wikipedia’s article on William Peel, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedHarrow School3

Career

Occupation: naval officer, writer.5

Peel was a captain in the Royal Navy, serving with the Naval Brigade during the Crimean War. On 18 October 1854 at the Siege of Sevastopol, he picked up a live shell with the fuse still burning from amongst several powder cases and threw it over the parapet. The shell burst as it left his hands. For this he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC); it is now displayed at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England.

On 5 November at the Battle of Inkerman, he joined some of the officers of the Grenadier Guards and helped to defend the Colours of the regiment when they were hard-pressed. On 18 June 1855, he led the first scaling party at the assault on the redan and was himself severely wounded. On each of these occasions Captain Peel was accompanied by a young midshipman, Edward St. John Daniel, as Aide-de-camp.

After the Crimean War, he served in the Indian Mutiny and was wounded at the Relief of Lucknow. At the age of 33, he died of smallpox at Cawnpore, India, on 27 April 1858.

From Wikipedia’s article on William Peel (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornNov 2, 1824, Mayfair6
  • DiedApr 27, 1858, Kanpur7
  • CitizenshipUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland8

Awards

  • Date not recordedKnight Commander of the Order of the Bath9
  • Date not recordedVictoria Cross9

Sources

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