Major John Simpson Knox

[roberthenry]

Major John Simpson Knox's Victoria Cross and medals along with a cannonball mounted on a piece of marble, are to be auctioned in London next month.

John Knox was the first British Army NCO to be awarded the VC, he was a sergeant when he won it.

The mounted cannonball is the one that tore his arm of at Sebastopol the following year.

Attachments:

[anthony]

The first VC! There are seven or eight VCs for Alma so one of the first Army VCs awarded would have been correct. As for being “handed” to him he appeared in the first gazette and at the first investiture. Although his gallantry was as a sergeant with the Scots Fusilier Guards by 1857 he was an officer with the Rifle Brigade and the gazette and presentation which were in regimental order saw him lining up with the Rifle Brigade so he was one of the last listed in the first gazette and one of the last presented at the first presentation.

I like to think that Max Arthur’s book, where awards are listed in chronological order was consulted. In Max Arthur’s book Knox is listed fifth after three Royal Navy recipients and Lt Col Bell of the 23rd. So being charitable you could interpret the claim the “first VC” to really mean the “first Army other rank alphabetically listed in a chronological list of recipients”. That headline lacks the impact of the “first VC”.

[roberthenry]

Perhaps Anthony you could read what I wrote again.

I did not say that John Simpson was the first VC. I am well aware that the first VC is Charles D Lucas, a Naval VC since I attended a Historic plaque dedication at his birthplace. The next two VCs also being Naval. The fourth VC is Edward WD Bell a British Army Captain when he won his VC making him the first British Army "Commissioned Officer". The fifth listed VC (from Max Arthurs book, or Monuments of Courage if you like) is John Simpson, a Sergeant when he won his VC therefore making him the First British Army "Non Commissioned Officer" to win a VC. And that is what I wrote.

[anthony]

Robert, my apologies. I was in error in that I did not make it clear that I was attacking the silly headlines in a number of papers. However, we do have a difference of opinion as to whether he was the first NCO to be awarded the VC.