THE VICTORIA CROSS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TO MAJOR JOHN KNOX, SCOTS ( FUSILIER ) GUARDS AND THE RIFLE BRIGADE, HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE LORD ASHCROFT VC COLLECTION. |
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1 May 2015 |
The Victoria Cross and Crimea campaign medal with four clasps, awarded to Major John Knox, Scots ( Fusilier ) Guards & The Rifle Brigade, have been acquired by the Michael Ashcroft Trust the holding institution for the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection. The Victoria Cross and campaign medals will go on display in the Imperial War Museum's Lord Ashcroft Gallery. The John Knox VC medal group had previously been sold to an unidentified buyer at a Spink auction held on the 22nd April 2010 for a hammer price of £210,000.
The Scots Fusilier Guards landed in the Crimea on the 14th September 1854 and immediately commenced a march towards Sebastopol, and on the way took part in the first battle of the campaign, at Alma on 20th September. It was mainly for his gallantry and leadership in this battle that Sergeant John Knox was recommended for the Victoria Cross.
For the award of the Victoria Cross
[ London Gazette, 24 February 1857 ] River Alma, Crimea, 20 September 1854, Sergeant John Knox, Scots ( Fusilier ) Guards.
John Knox was invested with his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at Hyde Park on the 26th June 1857.
Sergeant John Knox was present with his regiment in all the Crimean engagements, and at the Siege of Sebastopol, his conduct being conspicuous for gallantry, and in every way set an example to those around him. The behaviour of the three battalions of Foot Guards, especially at Inkerman, so impressed the Prince Consort ( Prince Albert ) that he placed a commission in his own regiment, the Rifle Brigade, at the disposal of General Lord Rokeby. The selection of Sergeant John Knox for this high honour gave widespread satisfaction among his colleagues.
John Knox was discharged from the Scots Fusilier Guards on 5 November 1854 and was appointed Ensign in the Rifle Brigade in March 1855, and promoted Lieutenant in April. His Ensigncy was antedated to 5th November 1854 and Lieutenancy to 29 December 1854. His final recommendation for the Victoria Cross occurred when he was the volunteer officer in charge of the ladder-party at the unsuccessful attack on the Redan on 18 June 1855. His brother officer, Captain Foreman, was killed and Knox himself wounded twice, losing his left arm, curtailing his active army career.
John Knox died on the 8th January 1897 in Cheltenham and was buried in the town's cemetery. In February 2002 a complete refurbishment of Knox's grave and headstone took place after it was discovered to be badly damaged. |
Iain Stewart, 1 May 2015