Richard Wadeson VC

b. 31/07/1826 Lancaster. d. 24/01/1885 Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Richard Wadeson (1826-1885) was born on 31st July 1826 in Lancaster. He was gazetted to the 75th Regiment of Foot (later Gordon Highlanders) and was posted to the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858. He took part in the Battle of Badlu Keserai, the siege operations before Delhi and the repulse of enemy sorties, and also the repulse of the nightly attacks on the camp during June and July 1857.

Richard Wadeson VC

He would later be severely wounded during the Siege and Capture of Delhi, and received the Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp. On 24th December 1858, Wadeson was gazetted for the Victoria Cross for his actions on 18th July 1857 during the siege of Delhi. The regiment were heavily engaged with the enemy in the Subjee Mundee, when Wadeson saved the life of Private Michael Farrell, who was being attacked by a sowar of the enemy’s cavalry. Wadeson attacked the sowar and killed him. Later on the same day, Wadeson repeated this act when saving Private John Barry, who was lying wounded and helpless and at the mercy of a cavalry sowar. Wadeson killed the sowar.

Wadeson was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1857, and later rose through the ranks to Captain (1864), Major (1872) and Lieutenant Colonel (1877). He later commanded the 75th Regiment of Foot, and became Colonel in 1880, in which year he was placed on half-pay. Colonel Wadeson was Lieutenant-Governor of Chelsea Hospital until his death, which occurred in his residence at the Chelsea Hospital on 24th January 1885, at the age of 58. Wadeson was buried in Brompton Cemetery. His medals are held by the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen, Scotland.

 

LOCATION OF MEDAL: GORDON HIGHLANDERS MUSEUM, ABERDEEN.

BURIAL PLACE: BROMPTON CEMETERY, LONDON.

COMPARTMENT E, 118′ X 158′

Acknowledgements:

Kevin Brazier  – Cemetery Map.

Thomas Stewart – Image of the Wadeson Medal Group.