Alfred Kirke Ffrench

Alfred Kirke Ffrench VC (25 February 1835 – 29 December 1872) was a 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.

Alfred Kirke Ffrench
Born25 February 1835
Meerut, British India
Died29 December 1872 (aged 37)
Chiswick, London
Buried
Brompton Cemetery, London
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankCaptain
Unit53rd Regiment of Foot
Battles/warsIndian Mutiny
AwardsVictoria Cross

Ffrench was twenty-two years old, and a lieutenant in the 53rd Regiment of Foot (later The King's Shropshire Light Infantry) of the British Army during the Indian Mutiny, when he performed the deed on 16 November 1857 at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the V.C.:

For conspicuous bravery on the 16th of November, 1857, at the taking of the Secundra Bagh, Lucknow, when in command of the Grenadier Company, being one of the first to enter the building. His conduct was highly praised by the whole Company. Elected by the Officers of the Regiment.

[1]

He later reached the rank of captain. Ffrench took ill whilst serving in Bermuda and died in London. The officers of his regiment wore black arm bands upon the notice of his death,[2] following which he was buried at Brompton Cemetery. A memorial tablet to him was also placed in St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The King's Shropshire Light Infantry Museum in Shrewsbury Castle, Shropshire, England.

References
  1. "No. 22212". The London Gazette. 24 December 1858. p. 5513.
  2. "The Victoria Cross to the 53rd Regiment : India 1857-58". Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
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