John Perie VC (1831 – 17 September 1874) was a Scottish 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.

John Perie
John Perie VC
Born1831
Huntly, Aberdeenshire
Died17 September 1874 (aged 42-43)
Aberdeen
Buried
St Peter's Cemetery, Aberdeen
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1848-1860
RankSapper
UnitCorps of Royal Sappers and Miners
Battles/warsCrimean War
Second Anglo-Chinese War
AwardsVictoria Cross
Médaille Militaire (France)

Details edit

 
Memorial to Sapper John Perie VC, Aberdeen

Perie was born in Gartly, north-west of Aberdeen on 7 April 1821.[1]

Perie was approximately 25 years old, and a sapper in the Royal Sappers and Miners, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 18 June 1855 during the Siege of Sevastopol, Sapper Perie showed conspicuous gallantry, with a lieutenant (Gerald Graham) in leading a ladder party at the assault on the Redan. He also volunteered to go with the lieutenant to help bring in a wounded sailor lying in the open, even though he was himself suffering from a musket wound in the side.[2]

He died at 69 East North Street[3] in Aberdeen on 17 September 1874 and was buried in the "Strangers Land" (communal paupers grave) of St Peter's Cemetery in north Aberdeen.[4]

The medal edit

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham, Kent.

Family edit

He was married to Isabella Howie (1834-1901) and had four children, most of whom began spelling their name as "Pirie".[5]

References edit

  1. ^ Grave of John Perie, north Aberdeen
  2. ^ "No. 21971". The London Gazette. 24 February 1857. p. 656.
  3. ^ "John Perie 1829-1874 - Ancestry®".
  4. ^ Grave of John Perie, north Aberdeen
  5. ^ "John Perie 1829-1874 - Ancestry®".

External links edit