Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Stanhope Gate in the London Mayfair district, England, he served as a Captain in the Royal Navy. On October 18, 1854, Captain Peel was in command of the HMS Diamond at the Siege of Sebastopol, Russia. During the attack, he and his men had been tasked with the movement of ammunition for the Allied gun shore batteries. When a Russian 42-pounder shell landed in amongst some powder kegs, Captain Peel picked up the live shell and threw it over the parapet. The shell exploded as it left his hands, saving the lives of his fellow crew members. For the most prestigious award for gallantry, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. After the Crimean War, he was wounded at the Relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny and died of smallpox at age 33 in Cawnpore, India. Statues of him survive at the National Maritime Museum in London, St Swithun's Church, Sandy, Bedfordshire (where Robert had a small estate), and the Temple of Fame at Barrackpore, Bengal (previously in Auckland or Eden Gardens, Kolkata).
Crimean War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Stanhope Gate in the London Mayfair district, England, he served as a Captain in the Royal Navy. On October 18, 1854, Captain Peel was in command of the HMS Diamond at the Siege of Sebastopol, Russia. During the attack, he and his men had been tasked with the movement of ammunition for the Allied gun shore batteries. When a Russian 42-pounder shell landed in amongst some powder kegs, Captain Peel picked up the live shell and threw it over the parapet. The shell exploded as it left his hands, saving the lives of his fellow crew members. For the most prestigious award for gallantry, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. After the Crimean War, he was wounded at the Relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny and died of smallpox at age 33 in Cawnpore, India. Statues of him survive at the National Maritime Museum in London, St Swithun's Church, Sandy, Bedfordshire (where Robert had a small estate), and the Temple of Fame at Barrackpore, Bengal (previously in Auckland or Eden Gardens, Kolkata).
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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