Richard Fitzgerald - Indian Mutiny

[Les]

This chap is one of the few "oddities" out there in the VC world. Very little is known of him and there's no photos (that anyone is aware of).

It is generally accepted that he died in 1884 in India and is buried in an unmarked grave. I have been contacted by a family member of a James Roots (JR). The family research has shown several similarities between between Roots & Richard Fitzgerald (RT). One source (I've yet to confirm) states that JR VC was presented to the King at the Delhi Durbar in 1903. There is no one called Roots that's received the VC.

Another source (from the family member) is a photo of Roots wearing his "VC". I'm hoping for a copy of the photo to do a facial comparison with other VC receipients.

Other than the basic info (date/place of birth and date of death etc) that's in books or on the web, does anyone have more info on him?

I'd love to help out the Roots family as their findings, so far, show that there is a very remote chance that Roots is Fitzgerald & vice versa. Even though RT "died" in 1884, Roots "reappears" around this time from the same regiment(?) of the East Indian Artillery that RT served!

[anthony]

Richard Fitzgerald received his Victoria Cross in India in 1858 but there no further details of the presentation of the Victoria Cross which is now held by Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

At the start of 1903, just 34 of the 182 Indian Mutiny recipients were still living and very few if any would have been living in India. For instance two of the 34 then living were in Australia and even Roberts had left after 41 years in India. It would be expected any VC recipient presented to the King at the Delhi Durbar would have been mentioned in the press.

The problem with family stories is that no matter what the evidence they will not go away. The Heap family has claimed for many years that a descendent was awarded the VC in the Indian Mutiny. I have a reference to the claim in a First World War era publication as well as more recent material which suggests that somebody every generation follows up the story. I would ask the Roots family how long the claim has been a family story. I would ask for a copy of the scientific report on facial comparison except that there is no known photograph of Richard Fitzgerald.

I am sceptical but keep an open mind since 25 years ago when a family was asked what evidence they had that a VC recipient who according to records had died in London had in fact lived and died in Sydney they produced a colour portrait of the recipient wearing his VC and medals. They also then had his VC medal group. See www.diggerhistory.info/pages-vc/gorman-vc.htm

[Les]

I replied to the Roots family last week but so far haven't heard back. This makes me think that he's either trying to get a cvopy of the photo to send or they aren't going to follow it up because it could squash a family story.

There have been many claims by families of a relative getting the VC but none that I am aware of could ever prove it. This one could be interesting if they reply.

[roberthenry]

Les, That story of the Roots VC has turned up before, years ago. It was asked on the old Chapman VC forum and I think it also appeared in an issue of the Victoria Cross Society magazine.

[Les]

Hi Robert. The VC Society has run several stories, from what I can tell from searching, but I'm not a member so can't see what was said. However one of the main contributors to the site is Tom Johnson, a chap I've met and had many dealings with (really nice guy!!). I've e-mailed him but haven't heard back... which is worrying because he usually replies fairly sharpish.

[anthony]

Les and Robert

The history and current location of the Victoria Cross awarded to Gunner Richard Fitzgerald, Bengal Horse Artillery see www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbfitzge.htm

Anthony

[roots]

JR was my father in law's great grandfather. I have seen a picture of him (although appear not to have it any longer) wearing several medals although I could not identify them. The idea that he and RF were one and the same was raised by Cannon Lumis(?) in a publication entitled "Behind a Ghaziabad Mystery" published many many decades ago. I sought information about this several years ago but drew a blank (as have many I understand). This included writing to David Harvey (author of Monuments to Courage) and speaking to The War Office at Whitehall who informed me that any paperwork relevant to this period was destroyed by fire. The Delhi Durbar referred to was actually the one in 1911(http://www.archive.org/stream/narrativeofvisit00fortuoft/narrativeofvisit00fortuoft_djvu.txt)

[anthony]

Roots

Welcome to the Victoria Cross forum. The author you mention was the late Canon William Lummis MC en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lummis. He died aged 99 in 1985. I am unfamiliar with "Behind a Ghaziabad Mystery" but the Lummis VC and GC records held by the Military Historical Society are at the National Army Museum.

I am not sure if you are aware that David Harvey died in 2004.

Best wishes in your research.

Anthony

[roots]

Thanks for the welcome.

I have dug out the response from David Harvey dated 2000 - is there a facility to upload documents? In addition the article "Behind a Ghaziabad Mystery" was written by PJO Taylor - again I am happy to upload this which also shows a photo of RF if anyone is interested.

[anthony]

Send the material to [e-mail]
Les will be able to assist.

[Les]

Hello Mr Roots! Long time no chat. Hope you're well?! I've done some extensive digging following our e-mail discussion in May and have found an online copy of the record for the Delhi Durbar. However it's the only source I've found and lists your relative as "Mr James Roots"... no mention of VC. I thought I'd saved a link but for some reason, it's vanished. I'll have another look for it.

Below are pics I've taken of Fitzgerald's VC and Indian Mutiny Medal, both held by Bristol Museum.

[roots]

Hi thanks for the info. My mother in law has now sent the photo of both James Roots and of the article which shows a photo of Richard Fitzgerald. I'll get these posted to Les and hopefully he can upload them. I'm in Bristol tomorrow so may get a chance to visit Museum,

[Les]

Hi, looking forward to seeing the photos... finally put a face to a name!

If you intend to view both medals at the museum, it may be worth ringing ahead to ensure someone's free to take you downstairs.

[roots]

www.archive.org/stream/narrativeofvisit00fortuoft/narrativeofvisit00fortuoft_djvu.txt this is the text which describes JR's presentation to the King and Queen at the Durbar.

I am having problems with linking my new printer to my laptop so am still unable to scan the images. However, I did visit Bristol Museum and spoke to Sue there. I gave her a copy of the article "Behind a Ghaziabad Mystery" which shows a photo of RF. She is putting this with the file. I will keep endeavouring to download every driver possible to link my printer/scanner.

[anthony]

Nov 14, 2010 10:53:34 GMT roots said:

www.archive.org/stream/narrativeofvisit00fortuoft/narrativeofvisit00fortuoft_djvu.txt this is the text which describes JR's presentation to the King and Queen at the Durbar.

I am having problems with linking my new printer to my laptop so am still unable to scan the images. However, I did visit Bristol Museum and spoke to Sue there. I gave her a copy of the article "Behind a Ghaziabad Mystery" which shows a photo of RF. She is putting this with the file. I will keep endeavouring to download every driver possible to link my printer/scanner.

Thank you for the reference "Narrative of the visit to India of their majesties King George V and Queen Mary and of the coronation Durbar held at Delhi 12th December, 1911". The relevant sentence is “Two more veterans Mr. Thitton and Mr. James Roots, the latter of whom wears the Victoria Cross also received special notice, both from the King and the Queen”. I look forward to seeing the article "Behind a Ghaziabad Mystery” and the photo. Best of luck with your technical issues.