Alfred Ablett
Alfred Ablett VC DCM | |
|---|---|
 Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol | |
| Born | 3 August 1830 Weybread, Suffolk |
| Died | 12 March 1897 (aged 66) Poplar, London |
| Buried | St Andrew's Churchyard, Weybread |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Service number | 5,872 |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Alma Battle of Inkerman Battle of Balaclava (Crimean War) |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal |
Alfred Ablett VC DCM (3 August 1830 – 12 March 1897) was an English Crimean War 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.
Early life
Alfred Ablett was born on 3 August 1830, at Weybread, Suffolk, to Samuel and Elizabeth Ablett. He was baptised just over a month later on 3 September.[1] According to the 1841 England, Wales and Scotland census, he had four older brothers, one younger brother and two younger sisters.[2]
Military service
He joined the army on 20 February 1950 at the age of 19 years and five months,[3] being assigned to the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. He would go on to serve in the Crimean War, serving at the Battle of Alma, Battle of Inkerman and the Battle of Balaclava, earning service bars for each. But at the rank of private in early September 1855 when he performed a deed which would earn him a Victoria Cross for bravery while in the trenches at the siege of Sebastopol.[4][5]
His medal citation reads:
On 2 September 1855 during the siege of Sebastopol, Crimea, a burning shell fell into a trench containing two cases of ammunition. Private Ablett at once realising the danger to which all were exposed, seized the shell in his hands and threw it over the parapet, where it immediately exploded as it touched the ground, but not a man was touched.
He was nominated for the award by his company Captain who witnessed the event,[6] and later achieved the rank of sergeant.[7] Ablett was one of two members of the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards who earned the Victoria Cross during the Crimean War, the other being Pvt. Anthony Palmer.[8]
Later life and legacy
In 1868, he was accused of attempting to kill himself with rifle, but was found not guilty by a jury at Norwich Crown Court.[9] He had served for 26 years in the London Dock Police following his departure from military service, reaching the rank of sergeant.[10] He died at his home on East India Road, Poplar, London on 12 March 1897.[4]
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Grenadier Guards Regimental Headquarters, Wellington Barracks, London, England.
References
- ^ "Suffolk Baptism Index (part 3) Transcription". Findmypast. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription". Findmypast. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "British Army Service Records 1760-1915 Transcription". Findmypast. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Death of a Victoria Cross Hero". Falkirk Herald. No. 4840. British Newspaper Archive. 17 March 1897. p. 6. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ Parry, D.H. (1898). Britain's Roll of Honour. London, New York and Melbourne: Cassell and Company. p. 41. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ^ "Military & Volunteer Items". Leamington Spa Courier. Vol. LXX, no. 12. British Newspaper Archive. 20 March 1897. p. 4. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "The Victoria Cross". Reading Mercury. Vol. 125. British Newspaper Archive. 28 February 1857. p. 4. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "The Victoria Cross". Yorkshire Gazette. Vol. XXXIX, no. 1973. British Newspaper Archive. 28 February 1857. p. 8. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "Home Office: Calendar of prisons Image". Findmypast. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|subscription=ignored (|url-access=suggested) (help) - ^ "V.C. Hero". Hull Daily Mail. No. 3569. British Newspaper Archive. 16 March 1897. p. 2. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
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