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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 799

(x) Victoria Cross, copy, engraved in elaborate sloping script on the reverse of suspenson bar 'A. Fitzgibbon', and on reverse of central cross '1860', accompanied by small canvas pouch bearing label for the National Bank of Australia, very fine

V.C. London Gazette 13 August 1861:

'For having behaved with great coolness and courage at the capture of the North Taku Fort, on the 21st of August, 1860. On the morning of that day he accompanied a wing of the 67th Regiment, when it took up a position within 500 yards of the Fort. Having quitted cover, he proceeded, under a very heavy fire, to attend to a Dhoblie-bearer, whose wound he had been directed to bind up; and, while the Regiment was advancing under the Enemy's fire, he ran across the open to attend to another wounded man, in doing which he was himself severely wounded.'

Andrew Fitzgibbon was born on 13 May 1845 in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India and served with the 67th (Royal Hampshire) Regiment. He is thought to have been the youngest ever recipient of the V.C., which he earned at age 15 as a Hospital Apprentice during the capture of the North Taku Fort in China on 21 August 1860. Fitzgibbon later died in 1883 in Delhi, India, and it is widely believed that his original medal was interred with him in his unmarked grave in Delhi's Old Military Cemetery.

It is possible that Fitzgibbon's family could have commissioned another medal to serve as a replacement for the original which was buried with him. This Lot was purchased in Melbourne circa 1980. Sold together with an old letter from Fitzgibbon's daughter which reads as follows:

'Halton Manor
Hampshire
29-10-1906

Dear Mrs. French,

Enclosed is my late father's Victoria Cross which I would like you to have for all the kindness and conern which you showed to him during his long illness. I am sure that you will treasure it was a mark of esteem, and your kindly nature will be remembered by all who knew you. Good wishes in your new position.

Yours Sincerely,
Mary Fitzgibbon'

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£12,000

Starting price
£70