Duncan Gordon Boyes, English soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross (d. 1869)
Duncan Gordon Boyes VC (5 November 1846 – 26 January 1869) was an English 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. The award was bestowed upon him for his actions during the Shimonoseki Expedition, Japan in 1864. He was later discharged from naval service as a result of ill-discipline and moved to New Zealand to work on his family's sheep station. Suffering from depression and alcoholism, he committed suicide at the age of 22 in Dunedin.
1846Nov, 5
Duncan Gordon Boyes
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Events on 1846
- 11May
Mexican-American War
President James K. Polk asked for a Declaration of War against Mexico, starting the Mexican-American War. It is approved on May 13. - 7Jul
Conquest of California
American troops occupy Monterey and Yerba Buena, thus beginning the conquest of California. - 10Sep
Sewing machine
Elias Howe is granted a patent for the sewing machine. - 24Sep
Zachary Taylor
Mexican-American War: General Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey. - 16Oct
Ether Dome
William T. G. Morton first demonstrated ether anesthesia at the Massachusetts General Hospital in the Ether Dome.