TEETHING PROBLEMS, 1856–1867 71
Those ‘whomay performacts,’ not ‘those whohave performedacts’ were eligible
for the Cross. Despite the fact that the amendment was madespecifically
because of the bravery of the troops in saving the ship, none of them were
eligible for the award because the conditions under which they conducted
themselves so bravely were not covered in the rules at the time of the
act, and as worded, the warrant could not be applied retroactively. Peel
had the opportunity to bring up theSarah Sands incident in an address
before the House of Commons even before the warrant extension was
signed. Parliament itself was not concerned with the extension; the Cross
was brought up as an example during the course of a debate over the state of
the Order of the Bath. Peel did not press for the antedating of the warrant,
and mainly used the extension to noncombat life-saving as proof of his
regard for the soldiers under his administration.^97
Thus, when Walsh, whom all agreed had been the key figure in saving
the ship applied for a Victoria Cross, it was denied. Fully 25 men were
mentioned by name in the official report of the fire as having distinguished
themselves far above and beyond the call of duty. There is a rather sinister
marginal note on one of the memos concerning the case that may reveal the
true reason the warrant was not antedated: Peel commented to Storks that if
all 25 men were given VCs it would cost the government £250 per annum
in pensions.^98 The War Office sugar coated the announcement of the denial
to Horse Guards:
Lord Herbert has received with great gratification the favourable testimony
which has been borne to the conspicuous courage and Bravery of Private
Walshhis Lordship regrets that the Royal Warrantwill not admit
of his being recommended for a distinction which he has so well earned.^99
This did not resolve the situation; many officers were outraged by the parsi-
monious attitude of the War Office. Walsh’s part was taken up in particular
by Lieutenant General H. W. Brereton in 1863, in a strongly worded letter to
the War Office. He pointed out that Lieutenant Colonel Brett had followed
all the proper procedures and applied through the correct channels, and had
shown considerable gentlemanly restraint in not forwarding his own name
for a VC, as his own conduct in the 16-hour battle to save the troop ship
clearly (in Brereton’s estimation) entitled him to do.^100 The War Office stuck
to its decision, however and repeated its position that the Cross warrant
could not be backdated no matter how brave Walsh had been.^101
As it turns out, the amendment to the Warrant for noncombat Victoria
Crosses was subsequently used on only two occasions. Private Timothy
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