'By a sudden spring the 33rd man seized the Russians firelock'

Coloured lithograph by M and N Hanhart after Michael Angelo Hayes. No 8 in the second series, 'Lloyd's Incidents from the War in the Crimea', published by Lloyd Brothers and Company, 26 December 1854.

This print depicts Patrick McGuire (1837-1862) of the 33rd (Duke of Wellington's) Regiment of Foot who had been captured outside Sevastopol. On being led from the field by Russian soldiers, he seized one of their muskets and discharged it into the face of a guard. McGuire then used the weapon to hit the other soldier in the stomach. He then fled to rejoin his comrades.

McGuire was later recommended for the Victoria Cross, but this was turned down because his deed was considered of doubtful morality and it was feared that it might encourage the enemy to execute prisoners. His exploit nevertheless captured the public imagination and was the subject of three different prints. Lord Raglan, the British commander-in-chief, also presented him with a gratuity of £5 for 'Gallant conduct on the Field'.