ambrose madden

Ambrose Madden was an Irish 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.

Details

He was approx. 34 years old, and a Sergeant-Major in the 41st Regiment (later The Welch Regiment), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 26 October 1854, in the Crimea, at Little Inkerman, Sergeant Madden headed a party of men of the 41st Regiment which cut off and took prisoner one Russian officer and 14 privates, three of whom were personally captured by the sergeant.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant.

From Information provided by Richard Arman, vcresearch@austarnet.com.au MADDEN, Ambrose 550 and 2195, Serjeant-Major, 41st Regiment Personal Details Birthplace: Cork, Ireland circa 1820 Wife: Bridget Furlong, they were married at Tuam, Galway, Ireland on 10 September 1847. Children: Two daughters Service Background Service History

Enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Dragoon Guards at Cahir, _____ on 24 May 1838
Transferred to the 41st Regiment at Dublin on 31 October 1845
Promoted to Corporal on 16 June 1848
Promoted to Sergeant on 7 September 1849
Promoted to Colour Serjeant on 1 May 1853
Served during the Crimean War, being involved in the actions at the Alma, Little Inkermann, Inkermann and Sebastopol;
Promoted to Acting Sergeant-Major on 7 August 1855
Promoted to Sergeant-Major on 2 October 1856
Resigned and reverted back to Colour Serjeant on 12 October 1858
Transferred voluntarily to the 2nd Bn., West India Regiment on 31 October 1858
Promoted to Company Serjeant-Major on 1 November 1858
Commissioned as an Ensign into the 2nd Bn., West India Regiment on 13 December 1858
Served in West Africa during the Baddiboo War in 1861
Present at the bombardment of Sowarracunda Creek on 16 February 1861; the storming and capture of Carawan, Kinty Cunda and Saba where he suffered a severe attack of fever but continued to carry out his duties
Promoted to Lieutenant on 20 August 1861
Transferred, as Garrison Adjutant, to the 3rd Bn., West India Regiment at Gambia, West Africa in April 1861
Transferred to 4th Bn., West India Regiment on 7 April 1862.

Orders, Decorations, Medals
Victoria Cross
Crimea Medal 1854-55 with clasps 'Alma', 'Inkermann', 'Sebastopol'
Mdaille Militaire (Fr.)
Crimea Medal (Turk.)
Civilian History
Pre Service Employment
Worked as a labourer. Citations
VC Citation
The award of the Victoria Cross, for actions during the Siege Operations at Inkerman, Crimea, was published on p.659 of London Gazette No. 21971, dated 24 February 1857.
The citation read: "41st Regiment Serj.-Major Ambrose Madden
For having headed a party of men of the 41st Regiment, and having cut off and taken prisoners one Russian Officer and fourteen privates, three of whom he, personally and alone, captured." Additional VC Information
Investiture
It is believed Sgt. Maj. Madden was decorated by Maj.-Gen. Bell in Jamaica. VC Location
Welch Regiment Museum, The Black & Barbican Towers, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF1 2RB, Wales. Tel 01222 229367
Purchased by the Welch Regiment for 50 in January 1935
The Victoria Cross was stolen from the Military Museum at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff (Recorded in the Orders and Medals Research Society's 'Journal' (News Bulletin No. 2, Vol. 3 (103) dated 11 May 1964)) Death Details
Death: Died of Yellow Fever in Jamaica on 1 January 1863.
Burial: Location of grave not known. Miscellaneous
References
The Evolution of the Victoria Cross, M.J. Crook, p. 52
(Submitted by Joanne Diffenbaugh (powers), 20 Dec 2000)