Henry Curtis
English sailor (1822–1896); recipient of the Victoria Cross
About Henry Curtis
Lived 1822 – 1896 (aged 73). Henry Curtis was a British military personnel.
Henry Curtis VC (21 December 1822 – 23 November 1896) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details Curtis was 32 years old and a Boatswain's Mate in the Royal Navy (Naval Brigade) during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 18 June 1855, in the Crimea, immediately after the assault on Sebastopol, a soldier of the 57th Regiment, who had been wounded in both legs, was observed sitting up and calling for help. At once the second-in-command of the scaling party (Henry James Raby), another seaman (John Taylor) and Boatswain's Mate Curtis left the shelter of their battery works and ran forward a distance of 70 yards, across open ground, through heavy gunfire and succeeded in carrying the wounded man to safety.
Medal location The VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Henry Curtis?
English sailor (1822–1896); recipient of the Victoria Cross
When was Henry Curtis born?
Henry Curtis was born on 21 December 1822 in Romsey.
When did Henry Curtis die?
Henry Curtis died on 23 November 1896 in Portsea Island.
What was Henry Curtis's occupation?
Henry Curtis was a military personnel.
What nationality was Henry Curtis?
Henry Curtis was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henry Curtis. https://biography.guide/henry-curtis/
MLA: "Henry Curtis." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henry-curtis/.
Chicago: "Henry Curtis." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henry-curtis/.
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