Thomas Beach (VC)

Thomas Beach VC (24 January 1824 – 24 August 1864) was a Scottish 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.

He was 30 years old, and a private in the 55th (Westmoreland) Foot, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 5 November 1854 at the Battle of Inkerman, Crimea, when on picquet duty, Private Beach attacked several Russians who were plundering Lieut.-Colonel Carpenter, 41st Regiment, who was lying wounded on the ground. He killed two of the Russians, and protected Lieut.-Colonel Carpenter until the arrival of some men of the 41st Regiment.