John Sheppard

Who was John Sheppard?

John Sheppard VC, CGM was an English 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.

Sheppard was 37 years old, and a Boatswain's Mate in the Royal Navy, serving with the Naval Brigade during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 July 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimean Peninsula, Boatswain's Mate Sheppard went into the harbour at night, in a Punt which he had especially constructed for the purpose, with an explosive device with which he intended to blow up one of the Russian warships. He managed to get past the enemy's steamboats at the entrance of Careening Bay, but was prevented from getting further by a long string of boats carrying enemy troops. He made a second attempt on 16 August but although both these actions were unsuccessful, they were boldly conceived and carried out in the face of great danger.

John Sheppard was only the fourth person to be awarded the Victoria Cross, and the first from Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. He later achieved the rank of Boatswain First Class.