Personal info
- Name: John FREEMAN
- D.O.B: 28th Nov, 1833
- D.O.A: 10th Oct, 1857
- D.O.D: 23rd Jun, 1861
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 9th Lancers (Queen’s Royal)
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
Agra, India 10 October 1857
10 October 1857
The Indian Mutiny 1857-59
After he had defeated the mutineers at Bulandshahr on 28 September 1857, Colonel E H Greathed had intended to continue his march south-east from Delhi into Oudh. However he received urgent requests for assistance from the British community at Agra, which had been trapped in the fort there since July, protected only by a force under Colonel Cotton. Greathed arrived at Agra, 140 miles south of Delhi, on 10 October and, informed that the mutineers were ten miles away, his men camped in front of the fort. Here the rebels attacked them. Sergeant H Hartigan VC, 9th Lancers, distinguished himself in the original skirmish. Captain D M Probyn VC, 2nd Punjab Cavalry, took part in the capture of two enemy guns. Meanwhile a troop of 9th Lancers under Captain French frustrated a rebel attempt to carry off a British gun, though French was killed and his subaltern Lieutenant Jones seriously injured. Private J Freeman went to the assistance of Jones. The enemy were pursued and routed after they had made a stand in a village four miles off.
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry on the 10th of October, 1857, at Agra, in having gone to the assistance of Lieutenant Jones, who had been shot, killing the leader of the enemy’s cavalry, and defending Lieutenant Jones against several of the enemy. Despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant, K.C.B., dated 8th April, 1858.
Extra Information
(Subscription Required)