John Danaher
Encyclopedia
John Danaher VC
also known as John Danagher (25 June 1860 - 9 January 1919) 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.
, Ireland
, Danaher moved to South Africa shortly after completion of his schooling. Upon the outbreak of the First Boer War
, Danaher joined the Nourse's Horse (Transvaal), South African Forces.
, on an excursion from Pretoria
with the Nourse's Horse (Transvaal) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 16 January 1881 at Elandsfontein, near Pretoria
, South Africa
, Trooper Danaher, with a lance-corporal of the Connaught Rangers, (James Murray
) advanced for 500 yards under heavy fire from a party of about 60 of the enemy, and brought out of action a private who had been severely wounded.
Danaher resigned from the Nourse's Horse in March 1881, and subsequently joined a British Army unit, the Connaught Rangers. He returned to Limerick with the Rangers in 1882, and later achieved the rank of sergeant
before retiring from military service. Danaher moved to Portsmouth
, becoming a publican. He was landlord of the Dog & Duck Public House at 115 Fratton Road, Portsmouth from 1913 until his death on 9 January 1919. His wife, Mrs B. Danagher, succeeded him as Landlady and his son subsequently took over as Landlord in 1936/7.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum
(Chelsea
, England).
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
also known as John Danagher (25 June 1860 - 9 January 1919) was an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Early life
Born in LimerickLimerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Danaher moved to South Africa shortly after completion of his schooling. Upon the outbreak of the First Boer War
First Boer War
The First Boer War also known as the First Anglo-Boer War or the Transvaal War, was fought from 16 December 1880 until 23 March 1881-1877 annexation:...
, Danaher joined the Nourse's Horse (Transvaal), South African Forces.
Military career
He was 20 years old, and a TrooperTrooper (rank)
Trooper from the French "troupier" is the equivalent rank to private in a regiment with a cavalry tradition in the British Army and many other Commonwealth armies, including those of Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. Today, most cavalry units operate in the armoured role, equipped...
, on an excursion from Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
with the Nourse's Horse (Transvaal) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 16 January 1881 at Elandsfontein, near Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Trooper Danaher, with a lance-corporal of the Connaught Rangers, (James Murray
James Murray (VC)
James Murray VC 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....
) advanced for 500 yards under heavy fire from a party of about 60 of the enemy, and brought out of action a private who had been severely wounded.
Danaher resigned from the Nourse's Horse in March 1881, and subsequently joined a British Army unit, the Connaught Rangers. He returned to Limerick with the Rangers in 1882, and later achieved the rank of sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
before retiring from military service. Danaher moved to Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, becoming a publican. He was landlord of the Dog & Duck Public House at 115 Fratton Road, Portsmouth from 1913 until his death on 9 January 1919. His wife, Mrs B. Danagher, succeeded him as Landlady and his son subsequently took over as Landlord in 1936/7.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum
National Army Museum
The National Army Museum is the British Army's central museum. It is located in the Chelsea district of central London, England adjacent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the "Chelsea Pensioners". The National Army Museum is open to the public every day of the year from 10.00am to 5.30pm,...
(Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
, England).
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Hampshire)