Army lists > Hart's Army Lists > New annual army list, militia list, and Indian civil service list > 1880

646
THE VICTORIA CROSS. (V€.)
, (Officers noiv holding Rank in the Army.)
AiKMAw, Lieulenatit Feeokeick Robebtson. 4th Bengal Native Infantry (now Captain on half pay).—This
Officer, commanding the 3rd Sikh Cavalry on the advanced picket, with 100 of his men, having obtained informa^-
tion, just as the Force marched on the morning of the ist March i8i;8, of the proximity, three miles off the high
road, of a body of 500 rebel infantry, 200 horse, and two guns, under MoosahibAli Chuckbdar, .attacked and utterly
routed them, cutting up more than 100 men, capturing two guns, and driving the survivors into and over the
Goomtee. This feat was jierformed under every disadvantage of broken ground, and partially under the flanking
Are of an adjoining fort. Lieutenant Aikman received a severe sabre-cut in the face in a personal encounter with
several of the enemy.
AiTKEn,Lieutenant RosiVLT Hope MoNCRiEFP,i3th BengalNative Infantry(nowro7one/,retiredfullpay.BengalStaff
Corps).—For various act.^ of gallantry performed during the defence of the Residency of Lucknow, from fne 30th
June to the 22nd November 1857. i. On three different occasions Lieutenant Aitken went into the garden under
the enemy's loopholes in the " Captain's Bazaar.'' On two of these occasions he brought out a number of bullocks
which had been left in the garden ; subsequently, on the 3rd July, the enemy having set fire to the Bhoosa Stock
in the garden, and it being apprehended that the fire ivould reach the powder magazine which had been left
there. Lieutenant Aitken, accompanied by other Officers, went into the garden, and cut down all the tents which
might have communicated the fire to the powder. This was done close to the enemy's loopholes, under a bright
light from the flames ; it was a most dangerous service. 2. On the night of the 20th August, the enemy having
set fire to the Baillie Guard Gate, Lieutenant Aitken was the first man in the gateway, and, assisted by some
sepoys and a water-carrier of his regiment, he partially openeil the gate under a heavy fire of musketry, and,
having removed the burning wood and straw, saved the gate. 3. On the evening of the 25th September this
Officer led on twelve sepoys of his regiment, for the purpose of attacking two guns opposite the gate referred to,
in order to prevent their being turned on the late Major General Havelock's second Column. Having captured
them, he attacked and took the Teree Kotee, with a small force. 4. On the morning of the 26th September, with a
small party of his regiment, he assaulted and captured the barricaded gateway of the Furreed Buksh Palace, and
the Palace itself. On this occasion he sprang up against a small wicket gate on the right, and prevented the enemy
from shutting it, until, with assistance, it was forced open, and the assaulting party were thus enabled to rush in.
The complete success of the attack was solely owing to this OfHcer's distinguished bravery. 5. In a subsequent
sortie on the 29th September, Lieutenant Aitken volunteered to take a gun which still continued firing, taking with
him four soldiers through the houses and lanes to the gun. The enemy fired on this party from the houses, but
they held their ground, until a stronger party coming up, the gun was upset from the carriage, and taken into the
Besidency. Another gun was subsequently taken.
Bell, lAeutenant Mark Sever, Royal Engineers (now Captain).—For his distinguished bravery and zealous,
resolute, and self-devoted conduct at the battle of Ordahsu, on the 4th February 1874, while serving under the im¬
mediate orders of Colonel Sir John Chetham McLeod, KCB., of the 42nd Regiment, who commanded the Advanced
Guard. Sir John McLeod was an eye-witness of his gallant and distinguished conduct on the occasion, and con¬
siders that this officer's fearless and resolute bearing, being always in the front, urging on and encouraging an
unarmed working party of Fantee labourers, who were exposed not only to the fire of the enemy but to the wild and
irregular fire of the native troops in the rear, contributed very materially to the success of the day. By his example
he made these men do what no European party was ever required to do in warfare, namely, to work under fire in
the face of the enemy without a covering-party.
Bebesfoed, Captain Lord William, 9th Lancers.—For gallant conduct in having at great personal risk, during
the retirement of the reconnoitring party across the " White Umvolosi River" on 3rd July 1879, turned to assist
Sergeant Fitzmaurice, ist Battalion 24th"Foot (whose horse had fallen with him), mounted him behind him on his
horse, and brought him away in safety under the close fire of the Zulus, who were in great force, and coming on
quickly. Lord William Beresford's position was rendered most dangerous from the fact that Sergeant Fitz¬
maurice twice nearly pulled him from his horse.
Beeetman, Troop Sergeant Major John, i7fh Lancers (now (Quarter Master).—Served with his regiment the whole
of the Crimean war, was present at the battle of the Alma,, and also engaged in the pursuit at Mackenzie's Farm,
where he succeeded in capturing three Russian prisoners, when they were within reach of their own guns. Was pre¬
sent and charged at the battle of Balaklava, where, his horse being shot under him, he stopped on the field with a
wounded Officer (Captain Webb) amidst a shower of shot and shell, although repeatedly told by that Officer to consult
his own safety, and leave him, but he refused to do so, and, on Sergeant John Farrell coming by, with his assistance
carried Captain Webb out of range of the guns. He has also a Clasp forlnkerman.
Blair, Captain James, 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry (now Colonel).—For having on two occasions distinguished
himself by his gallant and daring conduct, i. On the night of the 12th August 1857, at Neemuch, in volun¬
teering to apprehend seven or eight armed mutineers who had shut themselves up for defence in a house, the
door of which he burst open. He then rushed in among them, and forced them to escape through the roof; in this
encounter he was severely wounded. In spite of his wounds he pursued the fugitives, but was unable to come up
with them in consequence of the darkness of the night. 2. On the 23rd October 1857, at Jeerum, in fighting his
way most gallantly through a body of rebels who had literally surrounded him. After breaking the end of his
Bword on one of their heads, and receiving a severe sword-cut on his right arm, he rejoined his troop. In this
wounded condition, and with no other weapon than the hilt of his broken sword, he puthimself at the head of his
men, charged the rebels most effectually, and dispersed them.
Bogle, Lieutenant Anueew Cathcaet, 78th Highlanders (now retired Major).—For conspicuous gallantry on the
2^th July 1857, in the attack at Oonao (with Havelock's Force advancing totherehef of Lucknow), in leading
the way into a loopholed house, strongly occupied by the enemy from which a heavy fire harassed the
advance of his regiment. Lieutenant Bogle was severely wounded in this important service.
BocLOEE, Lanee Cor/wrai Abraham, 84th Regiment (now Qitortci-^fos^ei-).—For distinguished bravery and
forwardness as a skirmisher, in all the twelve actions fought Ijetween the 12th July and 25th September 1857.—
Extract from Field Force Orders of the late Major General Ilavelock, dated jjth Oct. 1857.'
Beomhbad, Lieutenant Gonville, 24th Foot (now Brevet Major).—See Charo.
BKOvrTi, Lieutenant Francis David Millett, ist European Bengal Fusiliers (now Ca;rfotM Bengal Staff Corps).—
For great gallantry at Narrioul, on the i6th November 1857, in having, at the immiin nt risk of his own life, rushed
to the assistance of a wounded soldier of the ist European Bengal Fusiliers, whom he carried off' under a very
heavy fire from the enemy, whosejcavalry were within forty or fiftv yards of him at the time.
Beownk, Lieutenant EnwAsD Stevenson, 24th Foot.—For his gallant co'-duct on the 29th March, 1879, when t^e
Mounted Infantry were being driven in by the enemy at Inhlobana, in galloping back and twice assisting on h-s
horse (under heavy fire and within a few yards of the enemy) one of the mounted men, who must otherwise have
fallen into the enemy's hands.
Browne, Lieutenant Hhney George, 32nd Regt. (now Lt.Colonel on half pay).—For conspicuous braverv in
having, on the 21st August 1857, during the siege of the Lucknow Residency, gallantly led a sortie, at great
personal risk, for the purpose of spiking two heavy guns, which were doing considerable d'amage to the delences.
It appears from the state-neuts of the non-commissioned ollicers and men who accompanied Captain Browne on
the occasion, that he was tne first person who entered the battery, which consisted of the two guns in question.