Private Denis Dempsey, 10th Regiment of Foot -14th March

Private Denis Dempsey was, by right, a mutiny veteran. He had been fighting since the early months of the rebellion, but not at Cawnpore or at Lucknow – his theatre had started out in Bihar back in August 1857 when the native regiments decided to mutiny at Dinapore. The subsequent failure of Captain Dunbar on the field very nearly decimated the 10th Regiment; yet they still joined Major Eyre as he not only relieved Arrah but threw Kunwar Singh out of his stronghold at Jagdishpore; the 10th then became a part of the Brigadier Franks’ force for the march to Lucknow. Here, Dempsey would receive his second citation for the Victoria Cross.

10th Regiment (1st Battalion). No. 2134, Private Denis Dempsey
Date of Acts of Bravery, 12th August, 1857, and 14th March, 1858

For having, at Lucknow, on the 14th March, 1858, carried a Powder Bag through a burning village, with great coolness and gallantry, for the purpose of mining a passage in rear of the enemy’s position. This he did, exposed to a very heavy fire from the enemy behind loopholed walls, and to an almost still greater danger from the sparks which flew in every direction from the blazing houses. Also, for having been the first man who entered the village of Jugdispore on 12 August 1857, under a most galling fire. Private Dempsey was likewise one of those who helped to carry Ensign Erskine, of the 10th Regiment, in the retreat from Arrah, in July, 1857. (The London Gazette, 17 February 1860, No.. 22357)

Private Malcolm left an account of the 10th Regiment’s exploits and had this to say about Dempsey.

“He is a comrade to be proud of. He is absolutely fearless of death. I really believe our regiment has no man his equal in pluck. He is a very kind fellow, too. He would hurt no living thing unnecessarily. I know him well, and he professes some attachment for me. He is a true friend, a man you may place the greatest confidence and trust in. The officers, and every man, woman, and child in the regiment like him.”

Yet when it came to the citation for Lucknow, Malcolm is silent. As he was not engaged in that particular operation, and would only have heard of Dempsey’s exploit after the fact. However, Reverend Caine, who edited Malcolm’s letters for Barracks & Battlefields in India, wrote:

“At one point in the advance from the Emambarra, it was necessary to convey powder for the purpose of
mining an entrance in the rear of the enemy’s position. Dempsey learned the state of affairs. Handing
his musket to a comrade he threw off his coat, and, mounting on his back a bag of powder, made off with it. There lay between him and his destination a blazing suburb. Had a spark fallen on the bag, Dempsey would, in all probability, have been blown to atoms. Nor was this his only danger. He had to run the gauntlet of a murderous fire from the Sepoys. Uninjured, the brave Irishman deposited his burden in position and then ran panting back, braving again the Sepoy bullets. Before he joined his company, the rocket had done its work, the barrier was gone, and the enemy’s position was exposed. Dempsey did not consider his duty over, for he was one of the first to enter the position so successfully assailed. This brave soldier was rewarded with the much-coveted Victoria Cross. “

A note was added by Major General Havelock-Allen, who had transferred to the 10th in 1852 was very proud of his old regiment and had this to say about Private Dempsey:

” Dennis Dempsey was the most dashing soldier, as well as one of the handsomest men, I ever saw.”

In the last set of Victoria Crosses for Lucknow, we will turn our attention to that very notable branch of the service – the cavalry – namely the 7th Hussars and the 9th Lancers.

<sup>Sources:
Caine, Caesar, ed. Barracks and Battlefields in India: The Experiences of a Soldier of the 10th Foot (North Lincoln) in the Sikh Wars and Sepoy Mutiny. York: John Sampson; London: Ch. Kelly, 1891.
Verney, Edmund Hope. The Shannon’s Brigade in India. London: Saunders, Otley & Co., 1862.
Verney, G. L. The Devil’s Wind: The Story of the Naval Brigade at Lucknow. London: Hutchinson & Co., 1956.
Watson, Edward Spencer. Journal – India: With HMS Shannon, Naval Brigade from August 18th, 1857. Kettering: W.E. & J. Goss, n.d.

https://windsorlocalhistorygroup.org/edward-robinson-vc/
https://www.robertson.org/VC_ROBINSON-EDWARD.html
https://www.coastguardsofyesteryear.org/articles.php?article_id=282
https://www.rct.uk/collection/2401833/albert-bridge-and-lodge-home-park-windsor-2-july-1883
https://vcgca.org/
https://www.victoriacross.org.uk/
https://www.victoriacross.org.uk/</sup>