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201 SAMUEL MORLEY VC

BORN: December 1829, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire

SERVED: 2^nd Battalion Train (Later the Royal Army Service Corps)

DATE OF GAZETTE: 7^th August 1860

 On 15 April 1858, Morley was in position at Nathupur, near Azimgurh, in north-east India. Morley was a Private in the 2nd Battalion, Military Train (later Royal Army Service Corps), British Army. During the fighting, Morley and Farrier Michael Murphy were severely wounded while defending an injured comrade, Lieutenant Hamilton, adjutant of the 3rd Sikh Cavalry. Hamilton died from his injuries the next evening. His citation reads:

CITATION: On the evacuation of Azimgurh by Kooer Singh's Army, on the 15th of April, 1858, a Squadron of the Military Train, and half a Troop of Horse Artillery, were sent in pursuit. Upon overtaking them, and coming into action with their rear-guard, a Squadron of the 3rd Sikh Cavalry (also detached in pursuit), and one Troop of the Military Train, were ordered to charge, when Lieutenant Hamilton, who commanded the Sikhs, was unhorsed, and immediately surrounded by the enemy, who commenced cutting and hacking him whilst on the ground. Private Samuel Morley, seeing the predicament that Lieutenant Hamilton was in, although his (Morley's) horse had been shot from under him, immediately and most gallantly rushed up, on foot, to his assistance, and in conjunction with Farrier Murphy, who has already received the Victoria Cross for the same thing, cut down one of the Sepoys, and fought over Lieutenant Hamilton's body, until further assistance came up, and thereby was the means of saving Lieutenant Hamilton from being killed on the spot.

Although Murphy was gazetted and received his VC promptly, Morley did not. In May 1860, Morley complained during a parade. An investigation was held, and his medal was awarded. The announcement appeared in the London Gazette on 7 August, 1860

1881 Census has Samuel living at 8 Garnet Street, Nottingham, with his wife Mary and a visitor from Holme Pierrepont named Harriot Price.

Royal Army Service Corps.
Additional information: Private Morley's service career began with the 8th Hussars, where he served in the Crimea from September 1855. A year later, he transferred to the Military Train (Royal Army Service Corps). His regiment was sent to India, and he fought in the Indian Mutiny.
He was presented with his Victoria Cross by her Majesty Queen Victoria in Home Park, Windsor.
Private Morley felt somewhat perturbed when he learned that Farrier Murphy had been awarded the Victoria Cross. He told General Paget CB of his grievance, during his inspection at Aldershot in 1860. The General took up the complaint, read reports of the action, and on the evidence the powers that be, decided that Morley should also receive the VC.
After spending nearly 15 years in the army, he was discharged in 1870. He found work at the local Gas-works. He died at the age of 59.

DIED: 16^th June 1888

BURIED: General Cemetery, Nottingham.

The City of Nottingham subscribed and paid for a stone to be erected on the grave of their local hero, which even today is in wonderful condition and give’s the story behind the VC.

In 2010 Samuel has been honoured in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire.

Firstly by a plaque being unveiled in the entrance to the Grange Hall, Radcliffe on Trent, then three portraits by Radcliffe Artist’s unveiled at the Royal British Legion, Radcliffe on Trent on the 25^th November 2010

4 Victoria Crosses and 1 George Cross has been awarded to members of the Regiment.

Radcliffe's own three talented artist's holding there portriats of Sameul Morley VC