Personal info
- Name: John COLEMAN
- D.O.A: 30th Aug, 1855
- D.O.D: 21st May, 1858
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Sergeant, 97th (The Earl of Ulster’s) Regiment of Foot
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
The Right Attack, Sevastopol, Russia 21 July, 23 and 30 August 1855
21 July, 23 and 30 August 1855
The Crimean War
After the failure on 18 June 1855 of the first assault on the Redan (qv) the British continued to strengthen the position of their Right Attack on Woronzov Ridge facing it. Corporal J Ross, Royal Sappers and Miners, distinguished himself on 21 July and 23 August 1855, while effecting improvements to its 4th and 5th Parallels. Sergeant J Coleman, 97th Regiment, showed great gallantry on 30 August during a Russian attack on a new sap.
Citation
Conspicuous for great coolness and bravery on the night of the 30th August, 1855, when the enemy attacked a “New Sap” and drove the working party in; he remained in the open, perfectly exposed to the enemy’s rifle pits, until all around him had been killed or wounded. He finally carried one of his Officers, who was mortally wounded, to the rear.