Frederick Whirlpool VC

Frederick Whirlpool’s Victoria Cross is displayed near the entrance to the Hall of Valour at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. It was the first VC pinned to an Australian uniform, yet almost nothing was known about its enigmatic recipient. Two acts of valor during the Indian Mutiny won him the Victoria Cross, but 17 severe sword wounds ended his career.

After migrating to Australia in 1859, he...