William James Lendrim (sometimes described as Lendrum) was born at Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland on 1st January 1830. Enlisting into the Royal Sappers and Miners (Royal Engineers) he served in the Crimean War 1854-55.

In 1855 he was involved in three outstanding acts of bravery. On 14th February enemy fire had destroyed part of the British and French defensive position protecting an artillery battery on the left flank of the line. Organising 150 French cavalrymen and under intense fire he replaced several collapsed gabions. (Gabions were large wicker baskets filled with rocks to provide a defensive wall – similar to today’s Hesco Bastion).

On 11th April he displayed individual gallantry when he climbed onto the defensive ramparts, extinguished a fire amongst the sandbags and rebuilt the damaged wall. Finally, on 20th April he was one of four volunteers who charged and destroyed a Russian rifle pit. Lendrim was one of

Prior to the Crimean War there was recognition of gallantry for non commissioned ranks other than promotion or a financial award. Officers could receive admission to orders such as the Order of The Bath but, again, these applied to senior officers. After the war it was decided to institute an award for gallantry that would be apply to all ranks and so, in early 1856, the Victoria Cross was instituted. The award was backdated to 1854 to take into account acts of gallantry during the Crimean War and 111 awards were made. The first 62 were Gazetted on 24th February 1857 and a third of the awards, like Lendrim’s were for multiple acts of gallantry.

William Lendrim was presented with his award by Queen Victoria in a ceremony at Hyde Park on 26th June 1857. In addition to his Victoria Cross and Crimea medal with clasp Sevastoplol Lendrim was also presented with both the Legion D’Honneur and Medaille Militaire by the French Government as a direct result of his first act of gallantry on 14th February 1855.

Lendrim was promoted to Sergeant Major and later served on the staff at the Royal Military College Sandhurst. He married Lucy and fathered 12 children. Lendrim Lines, the soldier accommodation at the Academy is named in his honour. His medals are on display at the Royal Engineers museum at Chatham

William Lendrim VC died on 28th November 1891 and rests in the historic RMAS cemetery, alongside generations of Officer Cadets, staff, and their families.

His courage shaped our history; now we must preserve his legacy. With many graves in urgent need of specialist care, we have launced our RMAS Cemetery Restoration Project

Your donation will you help protect these memorials, honour their service, and ensure their stories endure.
Please donate today and help us safeguard this heritage for future generations.

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