Auction Catalogue
Create new listA fine quality copy Victoria Cross, undoubtedly of age, competently hand-finished and very probably cast from an original award, the letter ‘C.’ neatly engraved in the upper arm between the Lion’s head and tail, the reverse of the suspension bar engraved ‘Pte. O’Hea, 2nd Rifle Bde.’, but the reverse centre of the Cross undated, good very fine and interesting £200-300
V.C. London Gazette 1 January 1867:
‘For his conspicuous conduct on the occasion of a fire which occurred in a railway car, containing ammunition, between Quebec and Montreal, on 19 June 1866. The Sergeant in charge of the escort states that when, at Danville Station, on the Grand Trunk Railway, the alarm was given that the car was on fire, it was immediately disconnected, and, whilst considering what was best to be done, Private O’Hea took the keys from his hand, rushed to the car, opened it, and called out for water and a ladder. It is stated that it was due to his example that the fire was supressed.’
O’Moore Creagh and Humphris (1920) state:
‘Under Rule 5 of the Victoria Cross Warrant, the Decoration could not originally be awarded except for acts performed in the presence of the enemy. On 10 August 1858, however, a new clause was inserted in the Order, and under that rule Private O’Hea was - eight years later - awarded the Decoration. He is the only man who has so far received the Victoria Cross under this new clause.’
Timothy O’Hea, who was born at Skull, Bantry, Co. Cork in 1843, did not live long to enjoy his new found status as a V.C. recipient. He died of thirst and starvation during an expedition in Sturt’s Desert, Queenland, Australia in December 1874 - his remains are believed to have been interred at a location near Noccundra Station at Graham’s Creek.
O’Hea’s original awards are in the collection of the Royal Green Jackets Museum at Winchester, but it is interesting to speculate whether the above described copy V.C. was commissioned by a family member following his death.
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