Personal info
- Name: John KIRK
- D.O.B: 1st Jul, 1827
- D.O.A: 4th Jun, 1857
- D.O.D: 31st Aug, 1865
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Private, 1st Battalion 10th (The North Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
Benares, India 4 June 1857
4 June 1857
The Indian Mutiny 1857-59
As news of the events at Meerut and Delhi spread, there were mutinies in various garrisons across northern India. At Benares (modern Varanasi), over four hundred miles south-east of Delhi along the Grand Trunk Road, on 4 June 1857 the authorities decided to disarm the 37th Native Infantry. The sepoys were paraded but, fearing what might happen to them, rushed to retake possession of the weapons they had just surrendered. At this, the British opened fire and fighting broke out. Private J Kirk, 1st Battalion, 10th (The North Lincolnshire) Regiment, and Sergeant Major P Gill, The Ludhiana Regiment, and Sergeant Major M Rosamond, 37th Bengal Native Infantry, took part in the rescue of Captain Brown and his family, who lived in an isolated bungalow. In fact, the disturbances at Benares were soon contained and by 6 June the district was reported quiet.
Citation
For daring gallantry at Benares, on the 4th of June, 1857, on the outbreak of the mutiny of the Native Troops at that station, in having volunteered to proceed with two Non-commissioned Officers to rescue Captain Brown, Pension Paymaster, and his family, who were surrounded by rebels in the compound of their house; and having, at the risk of his own life, succeeded in saving them.
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