James Mouat

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James Mouat bigraphy, stories - Recipient of the Victoria Cross

James Mouat : biography

14 April 1815 – 4 January 1899

Surgeon General James Mouat VC KCB (14 April 1815 – 4 January 1899) was an English 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.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum in Mytchett, Surrey.

Details

Mouat was 39 years old, and a Surgeon in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place on 26 October 1854 in the Crimea, at Balaklava, for which he was awarded the VC.

Surgeon Mouat went with Corporal Charles Wooden to the assistance of an officer who was lying seriously wounded in an exposed position, after the retreat of the Light Cavalry. He dressed the officer’s wounds under heavy fire from the enemy, and by stopping a severe haemorrhage, helped to save his life.

His citation reads: