Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. Grady was born in Cheddah, Galway, and enlisted in the British 99th Foot in 1853 at a time when the regiment had been serving in Australia since 1842 but instead of joining the regiment in New South Wales he transferred to the 4th Regiment in February 1854. Later that year he landed with his regiment in the Crimea in what is now the Ukraine where the British and French besieged the Russians before Sebastopol. On October 18, 1854 Grady was one of two volunteers who repaired the embrasures of the Sailors' Battery on the British left flank under heavy Russian artillery fire. Grady was also commended for gallant conduct on November 22 in the repulse of the Russian attack on the advanced trench of the British left flank. He was severely wounded but refused to leave his position and continued to encourage the weak force to maintain its position. In January 1855 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Two and a half years later, having left the Army in 1856, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in 1854. The award was gazetted on June 23, 1857 just in time for him to attend the first investiture of the Victoria Cross held in Hyde Park, London, on June 26. Grady was one of 62 recipients personally presented with his award by Queen Victoria. In 1865, he emigrated with his family to Australia and lived in Melbourne, Victoria until his death in 1891. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. Grady was born in Cheddah, Galway, and enlisted in the British 99th Foot in 1853 at a time when the regiment had been serving in Australia since 1842 but instead of joining the regiment in New South Wales he transferred to the 4th Regiment in February 1854. Later that year he landed with his regiment in the Crimea in what is now the Ukraine where the British and French besieged the Russians before Sebastopol. On October 18, 1854 Grady was one of two volunteers who repaired the embrasures of the Sailors' Battery on the British left flank under heavy Russian artillery fire. Grady was also commended for gallant conduct on November 22 in the repulse of the Russian attack on the advanced trench of the British left flank. He was severely wounded but refused to leave his position and continued to encourage the weak force to maintain its position. In January 1855 he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Two and a half years later, having left the Army in 1856, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in 1854. The award was gazetted on June 23, 1857 just in time for him to attend the first investiture of the Victoria Cross held in Hyde Park, London, on June 26. Grady was one of 62 recipients personally presented with his award by Queen Victoria. In 1865, he emigrated with his family to Australia and lived in Melbourne, Victoria until his death in 1891. His Victoria Cross is on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Bio by: Anthony Staunton
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