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Born in Lambeth, James Hollowell was a private in the
78th Regiment of Foot (later
The Seaforth Highlanders), during the
Indian Mutiny. He was awarded the VC for his actions during the
siege of Lucknow: His citation from
The
London Gazette (issue 22154 of 18 June 1858) reads:
"78th regiment, Private James Hollowell. A party, on the 26th of September, 1857, was
shut up and besieged in a house in the city of Lucknow, by the rebel sepoys.
Private James Hollowell, one of the party, behaved throughout the day, in
the most admirable manner; he directed, encouraged, and led the others,
exposing himself fearlessley, and by his talent in persuading and cheering,
prevailed on nine dispirited men to make a successful defence, in a burning
house, with the enemny, firing through four windows. (Extract from
Divisional Orders of Major-General Sir James Outram, GCB, dated 14th October
1857.)"
He later achieved the rank of
Lance-Corporal. After leaving the Army he was employed by the
Corps of Commissionaires. He
died in Holborn on 4 April 1876 an was buried in an unmarked grave in the
Corps of Commissionaires
section of Brookwood Cemetery.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the
Regimental Museum of Queens Own Highlanders, Inverness-shire, Scotland.
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