Personal info

  • Name: Thomas Henry KAVANAGH
  • D.O.B: 15th Jul, 1821
  • D.O.A: 9th Nov, 1857
  • D.O.D: 13th Nov, 1882
  • Award: Victoria Cross
  • Occupation at time of action: Clerk, Bengal Civil Service
  • Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
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Sources & Acknowledgements

Lucknow, India 9 November 1857

9 November 1857

More details about:
The Indian Mutiny 1857-59 

On 9 November 1857 T H Kavanagh volunteered to slip through enemy lines and guide the approaching column of Sir Colin Campbell towards the British compound at Lucknow. Dressed as an Indian and with his face blackened, he left the Residency at Lucknow with Kananji Lal, a native scout. Fording the Gumti, they walked along the far bank to the Stone Bridge, where they crossed back into the city, making their way through it until they reached open country. After many adventures they joined the British column. Kavanagh’s information confirmed Campbell in his intention of making a wide circuit of the city to the east, so as to avoid the fierce street fighting which had characterised the First Relief of Lucknow.

Citation

 On the 8th of November, 1857, Mr. Kavanagh, then serving under the orders of Lieutenant- General Sir James Outram, in Lucknow, volunteered on the dangerous duty of proceeding through the City to the Camp of the Commander-in-Chief, for the purpose of guiding the relieving Force to the beleaguered Garrison in the Residency, – a task which he performed with chivalrous gallantry and devotion. 

The London Gazette of 8 July 1859 Numb. 22283, p. 2629

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