of the Army in India, Lord Clyde, the following was included in a note sent to the Governor-General Lord Canning: His citation in the London Gazette reads: Further information Chicken was one of only five civilians to be awarded the VC. His VC is described as "the only Naval VC to be won on horse-back". After the action at Suhejnee, Chicken served in the naval brigade for another two years. He was lost at sea in May 1860 when his schooner Emily was reportedly lost with all hands in the Bay of Bengal during bad weather. The medal The VC was originally sent to India for presentation to Chicken; however, he died before it could be bestowed upon him and the medal subsequently went missing. As a result, another medal was struck and was sent to his father, a master mariner of Shadwell, on 4 March 1862. The VC and other items came up for sale in Canada in 1987. In 2006, the medal – believed to be the original that was sent to India, and not the one sent to the recipient's father – was purchased by Lord Ashcroft. It is displayed as part of the collection in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London. References Bibliography External links George Bell Chicken, V.C. (1833–1860) (biography & research information) Supplement to The London Gazette, January 31st 1859 (Casualty Roll) 1833 births 1860 deaths British recipients of the Victoria Cross Indian Rebellion of 1857 recipients of the Victoria Cross Deaths due to shipwreck at sea People from Wallsend