This document discusses the two men from County Carlow, Ireland who were awarded the Victoria Cross: John Lyons and John Lucas. It provides biographical details about each man's acts of bravery during military conflicts for which they received the highest honor. John Lyons saved many lives by throwing a live shell over the parapet during the Siege of Sevastopol in 1855. John Lucas provided cover fire for 15 minutes while rescuing wounded soldiers during an ambush in New Zealand in 1861. Both men died in Dublin and are buried in the area.

1. Carlow’s V.C. Winners
By Jake Duggan of
Co.Carlow Military Museum

2. What is the V.C.?
 The V.C or Victoria cross is the highest ,
most prestigious award for bravery ,
awarded to any soldier , seaman or airman
that is a member of the British military.

3. Carlow’s V.C’s
 Carlow has 2 V.C.’s received by
men born and bred in this
county.
 They are John Lyons and John
Lucas.

4. John Lyons
 John Lyons who was born in Carlow
(1823) , was awarded the Victory
Cross for his actions at Sevastopol in
the Crimea , his sightation reads :
On 10 June 1855 at Sevastopol, in
the Crimea, Private Lyons picked up
a live shell which had fallen among
the guard of the trenches, and threw
it over the parapet, thus saving many
lives.

5. John Lyons
 John died in Naas Co. Kildare on the
20th of April 1867 (to this day we do
not know where his exact grave is).
This picture is his death-mask, as
just before burial a local
photographer wanted a picture , his
family "propped" him up on a chair
with full uniform and medals.

6. John Lyons Pictures:
Painting depicting Johns The last picture of John , he is
actions for which he would actually dead in this photo.
receive the V.C.

7. John Lucas
 John Lucas (Colour Sergeant,
40th Regiment) was Carlow's
Second recipient of the V.C.
was born in Clashganny , Borris
in the year 1826 He was one of
only two men to receive the V.C.
for actions in the Taranaki-Maori
War, New Zealand (c.1860-
1861)

8. John Lucas
 His sightation reads: "18 March 1861 -
Near the Huirangi Bush in New Zealand ,
he was one of a party of skirmishers
ambushed by Maoris. Under heavy fire, he
ran to assist a wounded lieutenant and
sent him to the rear. He collected the arms
of the dead and wounded and, taking post
behind a tree, returned enemy fire for
fifteen minutes until support arrived."

9. John Lucas
 John Died on the 4th of March
1892 , Dublin and is buried in
St.Jame's churchyard. (Grave
not marked)

10. John Lucas pictures:

11. More info.
 www.carlowmilitarymuseum.webs.com
 militarymuseum@live.ie
 Symbol of courage :- book on the V.C.
 http://www.facebook.com/carlowmilitarymuseum