Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster, VC

Is your surname McMaster?

Connect to 3,298 McMaster profiles on Geni

Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster, VC's Geni Profile

Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love

  • Build your family tree online
  • Share photos and videos
  • Smart Matching™ technology
  • Free!

Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster, VC

Birthdate:
Birthplace: Trichinopoly, India
Death: January 22, 1872 (37)
Belfast, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)
Place of Burial: Belfast City Cemetery
Immediate Family:

Son of Bryce McMaster and Mary Letitia McMaster
Husband of Eleanor Annie Burmester
Father of Bryce Belcher McMaster and Mary Eleanor Davey
Brother of Brigadier General Andrew Cooke McMaster; Mary Letitia Knox; Ann Young Brice; Bryce McMaster and Emily Frances Barrow

Managed by: Sheila Gordon
Last Updated:

About Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster, VC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine_McMaster

Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster VC (16 May 1834 – 22 January 1872) was a 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 graduated from the University of Edinburgh Medical School with an MD and LRCSE [1].
McMaster was 23 years old, and an assistant surgeon in the 78th Regiment of Foot (later The Seaforth Highlanders Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany's) during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 25 September 1857, at the Siege of Lucknow for which he was awarded the VC:

"For the intrepidity with which he exposed himself to the fire of the enemy, in bringing in, and attending to, the wounded, on the 25th of September, at Lucknow." (Extract from Field Force Orders of the late Major-General Havelock, dated 17 October 1857) [2].

He later achieved the rank of surgeon [3].
McMaster died on 22 January 1872 in Belfast, Ireland and was buried in Belfast City Cemetery.
There is a memorial to his memory in St. Columb's Cathedral in Derry.
His widow went on to marry Campbell Mellis Douglas VC [4].
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.

References: [1] London Gazette http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/23828/pages/595/page.pdf.
[2] The London Gazette: no. 22154. p. 2957. 18 June 1858.
[3] http://www.britishmedals.net/people/mcmaster.html
[4] RAMC Journal
Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
Biography: http://www.britishmedals.us/people/mcmaster.html
http://www.newulsterbiography.co.uk/index.php/home/viewPerson/1959

view all

Surgeon Valentine Munbee McMaster, VC's Timeline

1834
May 16, 1834
Trichinopoly, India
1871
May 10, 1871
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
1872
January 22, 1872
Age 37
Belfast, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)
August 14, 1872
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
????
Belfast City Cemetery