John Alexander (VC)
John Alexander VC was a British Army soldier and an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a member of the British and Commonwealth forces.
Born in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Alexander was a private in the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry, during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
On 18 June 1855 after the attack on the Redan at Sebastopol, Alexander went out from the trenches under very heavy fire and brought in several wounded men. On 6 September, when he was with a working party in the most advanced trench, he went out under heavy fire and helped to bring in a captain who was severely wounded.
He was later killed in action during the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny in British India on 24 September 1857.