1st Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, and became a Trooper in Nourse's (Transvaal) Horse. On January 16, 1881 at Elandsfontein, during the first Boer War, he advanced, along with Lance-Corporal James Murray of the Connaught Rangers, for about five hundred yards, under heavy fire from about sixty of the enemy, to rescue two Privates (Byrne and Davis) of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, who had been wounded. Murray was himself shot, the bullet exiting near the spine, He ordered Danagher to secure his (Murray's) carbine and retire. Byrne died shortly afterwards; Murray and Davis were taken prisoner by the Boers, but they were returned, under a flag of truce, to the British forces, along with their dead comrade's body.
Unfortunately, Davis died five days later. (Lance-Corporal Murray was awarded the Victoria Cross, too, and is buried at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.) Later, Trooper Danagher was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His medal is on display at the National Army Museum in Chelsea.
Unfortunately, Davis died five days later. (Lance-Corporal Murray was awarded the Victoria Cross, too, and is buried at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.) Later, Trooper Danagher was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His medal is on display at the National Army Museum in Chelsea.
1st Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, and became a Trooper in Nourse's (Transvaal) Horse. On January 16, 1881 at Elandsfontein, during the first Boer War, he advanced, along with Lance-Corporal James Murray of the Connaught Rangers, for about five hundred yards, under heavy fire from about sixty of the enemy, to rescue two Privates (Byrne and Davis) of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, who had been wounded. Murray was himself shot, the bullet exiting near the spine, He ordered Danagher to secure his (Murray's) carbine and retire. Byrne died shortly afterwards; Murray and Davis were taken prisoner by the Boers, but they were returned, under a flag of truce, to the British forces, along with their dead comrade's body.
Unfortunately, Davis died five days later. (Lance-Corporal Murray was awarded the Victoria Cross, too, and is buried at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.) Later, Trooper Danagher was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His medal is on display at the National Army Museum in Chelsea.
Unfortunately, Davis died five days later. (Lance-Corporal Murray was awarded the Victoria Cross, too, and is buried at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.) Later, Trooper Danagher was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. His medal is on display at the National Army Museum in Chelsea.
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
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