James Travers
James Travers | |
---|---|
Indian Mutiny | |
Awards | Victoria Cross Order of the Bath |
Relations | Donald Macintyre VC (brother-in-law) |
Military background
James Travers was born and grew up in County Cork, where the first of his ancestors to be born there, Sir Robert Travers, was killed at the Battle of Knocknanuss in 1647.[1]
Travers came from a distinguished
Military career
James Travers was educated at
Travers was appointed adjutant to the
After the outbreak of the Mutiny in 1857, he moved from
For a daring act of bravery, in July, 1857, when the Indore Presidency was suddenly attacked by Holkar's Troops, in having charged the guns with only five men to support him, and driven the Gunners from the guns, thereby creating a favourable diversion, which saved the lives of many persons, fugitives to the Residency. It is stated that Officers who were present considered that the effect of the charge was to enable many Europeans to escape from actual slaughter, and time was gained which enabled the faithful Bhopal Artillery to man their guns. Colonel Travers's horse was shot in three places, and his accoutrements were shot through in various parts. He commanded the Bhopal Levy.
After this action, the European troops, residents and their families, accompanied by loyal Indian troops, evacuated the Residency, and arrived at Sehore on 4 July 1857.[3]
Travers returned to the 2nd Native Infantry in 1858. On 8 September 1860 he was appointed commandant of the
Travers died at Pallanza, Lake Maggiore, Italy, on 1 April 1884, aged 63.[3] He was originally buried in the Old Cemetery in Pallanza then moved in about 1920 to the New Cemetery, before finally being interred in the Municipal Ossuary in the Cimitero di Pallanza in 1996. His resting place is unmarked.[4]
On 19 November 1849 he married Mary Isabella Macintyre in Bengal, India. Mary died at Kilrock, Bridge of Allan in Scotland on 16 June 1933, aged 103. Her brother was General Donald Macintyre VC, while her elder sister married Doctor William Brydon, the sole survivor of the 1842 retreat from Kabul.[3]
The medal
Travers' medals are in private ownership.[4]
References
- ISBN 1781516731, 9781781516737
- A Naval Biographical Dictionary. London: John Murray.
- ^ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "James Travers VC, CB: biography". vconline. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "No. 22485". The London Gazette. 1 March 1861. p. 1007.
- ^ The Life of John Travers Lewis, D.D., by His Wife
- ^ "No. 23979". The London Gazette. 24 May 1873. p. 2583.
- OCLC 1065330489.
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
- Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword. XVI (64): 185–287.
- ISBN 1-899243-00-3(Dept of Economic Development, 1995)
- Monuments to Courage(David Harvey, 1999)
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross(Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)