Personal info
- Name: John ROBARTS
- D.O.B: 1st Jan, 1818
- D.O.A: 29th May, 1855
- D.O.D: 17th Oct, 1888
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Gunner, HMS Ardent, Royal Navy
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
Genitchi, Sea of Azov, Russia 29 May 1855
29 May 1855
The Crimean War
In May 1855 a large British and French naval force, carrying 15,000 Allied infantry, sailed for the Strait of Kertch, which divided the eastern Crimea from the Russian mainland. Its object was to destroy the fortifications at the Strait and then sail north into the Sea of Azov, disrupting Russian supply lines. A steam flotilla under Captain Lyons, which had entered the Sea of Azov, sank Russian military and merchant shipping and mounted various shore actions. On 29 May, Lieutenant C W Buckley of HMS Miranda, with Lieutenant H T Burgoyne of HMS Swallow and Gunner J Robarts from HMS Ardent, landed near Genitchi on the north-west of the Sea of Azov, opposite the Spit of Arabat and at the entrance to the Putrid Sea. Despite meeting stiff Russian opposition, they set fire to government buildings, corn stores and ammunition dumps. They were accompanied on the raid by Boatswain H Cooper (qv), who was to distinguish himself by his gallantry in assisting Lieutenant C W Buckley at Taganrog on 3 June.
Citation
This Warrant Officer landed with Lieutenants Buckley and Burgoyne at Genitchi, in presence of a superior force, and set fire to the Stores, a service of imminent risk. (Despatch from Admiral Lord Lyons, 2nd June, 1855, No. 419.)
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