Christopher Charles Teesdale VC

Name: Christopher Charles Teesdale

Conflict: Crimean War

Gazetted: September 25, 1857

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Grahamstown, Cape Colony, South Africa/June 1, 1833

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Lieutenant (later Major General and Sir)

Date of bravery: September 29, 1855

London Gazette citation:

Royal Artillery. Lieutenant Christopher Charles Teesdale, C.B. Date of Act of Bravery, 29^th September, 1855.

For gallant conduct, in having, while acting as Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Sir William Fenwick Williams, Bart, K.C.B., at Kars, volunteered to take command of the force engaged in the defence of the most advanced part of the works, – the key of the position – against the attack of the Russian Army; when, by throwing himself into the midst of the enemy, who had penetrated into the above redoubt, he encouraged the garrison to make an attack, so vigorous, as to drive out the Russians there from, and prevent its capture; also for having, during the hottest part of the action, when the enemy’s fire had driven the Turkish Artillerymen from their guns, rallied the latter, and by his intrepid example induced them to return to their post; and further, after having led the final charge which completed the victory of the day, for having, at the greatest personal risk, saved from the fury of the Turks, a considerable number of the disabled among the enemy, who were lying wounded outside the works, – an action witnessed, and acknowledged gratefully before the Russian Staff, by General Mouravieff.

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Other decorations: KCMG, CB

Place/date of death: South Bersted, near Bognor Regis, Sussex/November 1, 1893

Grave/memorials: St Mary Magdalene Churchyard, South Bersted, near Bognor Regis, West Sussex

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Spink, London 2011

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum