Buried at Belfast City Cemetery Role Armed force officer Allegiance United Kingdom Service/branch British Army | Rank Surgeon Awards Victoria Cross Name Valentine McMaster | |
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Battles/wars Anglo-Persian War
Indian Mutiny
Umbeyla Campaign Died January 22, 1872, Belfast, United Kingdom Place of burial Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast, United Kingdom Battles and wars Anglo-Persian War, Indian Rebellion of 1857, Ambela Campaign People also search for Stewart McPherson, Joseph Jee, Henry Ward | ||
Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster VC (16 May 1834 – 22 January 1872) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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He graduated from the University of Edinburgh Medical School with an MD and LRCSE. McMaster was 23 years old, and an assistant surgeon in the 78th Regiment of Foot (later The Seaforth Highlanders Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany's) during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 25 September 1857, at the Siege of Lucknow for which he was awarded the VC:
For the intrepidity with which he exposed himself to the fire of the enemy, in bringing in, and attending to, the wounded, on the 25th of September, at Lucknow.
(Extract from Field Force Orders of the late Major-General Havelock, dated 17 October 1857.)
He later achieved the rank of surgeon. McMaster died on 22 January 1872 in Belfast, Ireland and was buried in Belfast City Cemetery. There is a memorial to his memory in St. Columb's Cathedral in Derry. His widow went on to marry Campbell Mellis Douglas VC
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.