Patrick Mullane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Mullane
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| Born | 17 September 1858 Ahmednuggar (now Ahmednagar), Deccan, India |
| Died | 20 November 1919 (aged 61) Plaistow, London |
| Buried |
St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Leytonstone
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Regimental Sergeant-Major |
| Unit | Royal Horse Artillery |
| Battles/wars | Second Anglo-Afghan War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Patrick Mullane (born October 1858 – died 20 November 1919) was a true hero. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the bravest award a soldier can get in the British and Commonwealth armies. It's given for amazing courage when facing the enemy. He later became a regimental sergeant-major, a very important leader in the army.
Contents
Patrick Mullane: A Hero's Story
Early Life
Patrick Mullane was born in October 1858 in Ahmednagar, a place in India. His parents were Marguerite and Patrick Mullane, who was also a soldier in the Royal Artillery.
A Brave Act: The Victoria Cross
When he was about 21 years old, Patrick Mullane was a sergeant in the Royal Horse Artillery. This was part of the British Army. He showed incredible bravery during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.
His heroic actions happened during the battle of Maiwand on July 27, 1880. His army unit was about to retreat, and the enemy was very close. Sergeant Mullane bravely ran back to save a fellow soldier, Driver Pickwell Istead. He picked him up and put him on a wagon. Sadly, Driver Istead died almost right away.
Later, during the retreat, Sergeant Mullane volunteered again. He went into a dangerous village to get water for wounded soldiers. Many soldiers had lost their lives in that village, but he still went to help. For these two acts of courage, he was given the Victoria Cross.
The Medal's Journey
Years later, in 1904, Patrick Mullane's family decided to sell his Victoria Cross medal. It was going to be sold at a famous auction house called Sotheby's in London.
However, on the day of the sale, a very upset man came to Sotheby's. This was Patrick Mullane himself, who had been away and didn't know about the sale. The auctioneer, Tom Hodge, quickly told the medal's current owner, Captain Buckingham. Captain Buckingham immediately gave the precious medal back to Sergeant Mullane. Tom Hodge later said this was the most chivalrous, or honorable, act he had ever seen.
