Rifleman Francis Wheatley V.C.
1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own)
- Baptised 10 August 1821, Ruddington
- Died 21 May 1865
- Buried in Brompton Cemetery, London
- Gazetted 4 February 1857
On 12 October 1854, Wheatley, with some other Riflemen, was occupying a section of the trenches before Sebastopol when a live Russian shell fell amongst the men.
Without hesitation, Wheatley seized hold of the shell and endeavoured to knock out the fuse with the butt of his rifle.
He was unsuccessful at the first attempt, and so, with great presence of mind and deliberation he managed somehow to heave it over the parapet of the trench.
It had scarcely fallen outside when it exploded. Had it not been for his coolness, presence of mind and supreme courage, the shell would have inevitably exploded amongst the party causing serious casualties.
Instead, not a man was hurt.
