Victoria Cross Video Series | GoFundMe Page Set Up To Raise Funds For The War Graves Commission
Our recent Victoria Cross video featured a Lieutenant Henry James Raby. Boss Andrew has kindly set up a GoFundMe page to donate to the War Graves Commission and to Lietenant Raby’s Grave which is situated at Highland Road cemetery, Portsmouth. We have been running a video series titled ‘Victoria Cross Winners’ which looks at some of the servicemen who received this prestigious award. You can view this series on our YouTube channel here.
Visit the GoFundMe page and make a donation: https://www.gofundme.com/f/grave-site-of-lieutenant-henry-james-raby-vc
Find out about the War Graves Commission: https://www.cwgc.org/
Highland Road Cemetery Information: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/register-office/history-of-highland-road-cemetery/
Who was Lieutenant Henry James Raby?
Sir Henry James Raby (1827-1907) was born on 26th September 1827 in Boulogne, France. He entered the Royal Navy in 1842 as a first class Volunteer on HMS Monarch. In 1848, he was rated Mate, and two years later received his commission as Lieutenant. He served for some time on HMS Wasp on the west coast of Africa, and on the outbreak of the war with Russia in 1854, he was sent to the Black Sea. There he landed with the Naval Brigade, and served in the trenches from 23rd October 1854 until 16th September 1855.
As Second in Command of a ladder party during the assault on the Redan on 18th June 1855, he would later be awarded the VC, which would be announced on 24th February 1857. During the assault on the Redan, a soldier of the 57th Regiment of Foot was seen calling for assistance having been shot through both legs. Climbing over the breastwork of the advanced sap, Commander Raby and two seamen (Henry Curtis and John Taylor) proceeded over 70 yards of open space towards the salient angle of the Redan, and, in spite of the heavy fire, succeeded in taking the wounded man to a place of safety. All three men were recommended for the award by Captain Stephen Lushington.
He was awarded the Legion of Honour, the Crimean, Sardinian and Turkish Medals, with clasps for Sebastopol and Inkerman, and the 5th Order of the Medjidie. Commander Raby was the first man to be decorated for the Victoria Cross at the first investiture on 26th June 1857.