Personal info
- Name: Joseph JEE
- D.O.B: 8th Feb, 1819
- D.O.A: 25th Sep, 1857
- D.O.D: 17th Mar, 1899
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Surgeon, 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
The Char Bagh Bridge, Lucknow, India 25 September 1857
25 September 1857
The Indian Mutiny 1857-59
The 78th Regiment was detailed to hold the Char Bagh Bridge while the main column crossed and began to skirt round the east of Lucknow towards the Residency. No sooner was Havelock’s force across than the 78th was attacked by rebels advancing north up the Cawnpore road behind them. Counter-attacking, they captured two of the mutineers’ guns. Surgeon J Jee VC helped evacuate and tend men wounded in the charge.
Citation
For most conspicuous gallantry and important Services, on the entry of the late Major-General Havelock’s relieving force into Lucknow, on the 25th September, 1857, in having during action (when the 78th Highlanders, then in possession of the Char Bagh, captured two 9-pounders at the point of the bayonet), by great exertion and devoted exposure, attended to the large number of men wounded in the charge, whom he succeeded in getting removed on cots and the backs of their comrades, until he had collected the Dooly bearers who had fled. Subsequently, on the same day, in endeavouring to reach the Residency with the wounded men, Surgeon Jee became besieged by an overwhelming force in the Mote-Mehal, where he remained during the whole night and following morning, voluntarily and repeatedly exposing himself to a heavy fire in proceeding to dress the wounded men who fell while serving a 24-pounder in a most exposed situation. He eventually succeeded in taking many of the wounded, through a cross fire of ordnance and musketry, safely into the Residency, by the river-bank, although repeatedly warned not to make the perilous attempt.