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Victoria Crosses of the North West
Frontier 1895 - 1898
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CHITRAL FORT 1895 |
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Surgeon-Captain Harry Frederick
Whitchurch, Indian (Bengal) Medical Service, 24th Bengal
Native Regiment. |
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On the 3rd March
1895, the garrison of Chitral Fort made a sortie. When about
one-and-a-half miles from the Fort, Captain Baird was
mortally wounded, and Surgeon-Captain Whitchurch went to his
assistance. The enemy, in great strength, had now succeeded
in forcing their way through the fighting-line. Darkness had
set in, and, with only a small handful of Goorkhas and men
of the 4th Kashmir Rifles, they were completely isolated
from assistance. Placing the wounded officer in a dhoolie,
they then attempted to return. The Goorkhas most bravely
clung to their load until three of them were killed and a
fourth severely wounded, upon which Surgeon Whitchurch took
Baird upon his back and continued the journey. Unable to
take a direct road, they were obliged to make their way by a
circuitous route of three miles, exposed to a raking fire
from the enemy who were posted on all the surrounding
cliffs and walls, and it was only the darkness that
prevented the total annihilation of the devoted little band.
Time after time, in order to force a way over some walls
held by a more than usually obstinate group of the enemy,
Whitchurch had to lay down his burden, and charge with his
men, after which he would pick him up and make his way on a
little further. Eventually the Fort was reached with but
seven men, whose devotion to their wounded officer has
seldom been equalled. Just as the doctor reached the Fort,
Baird was hit for the third time, the bullet striking him in
the face, and, in spite of every care he died next day.
Before his death however, he was able to tell of the heroic
devotion of Surgeon Whitchurch, being anxious it should not
go unrecognized.
Captain Younghusband in his story of Chitral says that Mr.
Robertson, Political Agent, wrote in his report to
Government saying, " It is difficult to write temperately
about Whitchurch," and men who have themselves won the
Victoria Cross have said that never has it been more
gallantly earned than on this occasion.
Dr. Whitchurch, son of Mr. F. Whitchurch, of Sandown, Isle
of Wight, was born on September 22, 1866. Educated in
England, France and Germany. Entered St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, 1883 ; and the Indian Army, 1888, serving in the
Looshai Expedition and the relief of Aijal and Changsil,
Defence of Malakand ; relief of Chakdara, North-West
Frontier of India, 1897-8 ; China, 1901, taking part in
relief of Pekin Legations.. |
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PUNJAB FRONTIER |
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Lieutenant Edmond William Costello,
Indian Staff Corps. |
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| On the night of the 26th of
July 1897, during the fighting at the Malakand, Lieutenant
Costello, with the assistance of two Sepoys, saved the life
of a wounded Lance-Havildar, who was lying sixty yards away
on the football field. At the time of this gallant act, the
field was swarming with the enemy's swordsmen and a heavy
rifle-fire directed upon it. Edmond Costello,
son of Surgeon-Colonel Costello, I.M.S., was born on August
7, 1873. Educated at Beaumont and Stonyhurst College, he
joined the 14th West Yorkshire in August, 1892, and was
attached to the 22nd Punjab Infantry in 1894. During Malakand Campaign was twice wounded. |
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Major / Brevet Lieutenant- Colonel
Robert Bellew Adams, Indian Staff Corps. |
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| At Nawa Kili, in Upper Swat, North-West
Frontier of India, on August 17, 1897, Lieut.-Colonel Adams
and some of the Guides started in pursuit of the tribesmen
after the action of Landakai, and it is believed that the
horse of Lieutenant R. T. Greaves bolted with his rider.
When nearing the enemy, Greaves was shot through the body
and fell to the ground, being quickly surrounded by the
tribesmen. Major Adams, Lieutenants McLean and Fincastle,
seeing Greaves predicament, rode to his rescue and
succeeded in recovering his body. They drove off the enemy,
but Greaves was killed by another shot just as they
commenced to carry him away. Major Adams most bravely stood
between the enemy and McLean and Fincastle while these two
officers were attempting to put their wounded friend on to
one of their horses. Lieutenant McLean was mortally wounded
while engaged in this humane act. Robert Bellew Adams was
born in 1856, and entered the Army in 1876, becoming
Captain, 1887 ; Major, 1896. Served in the Afghan War, 1879,
and Chitral Relief Force, 1895. Is A.D.C. to His Majesty the
King. Was presented with the Victoria Cross by the late
Queen Victoria at Windsor on July 9, 1898. |
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Lieutenant Alexander Edward Murray,
Viscount Fincastle, 16th Lancers. |
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| Associated with with Colonel R.
B. Adams (V.C.), in the gallant attempt to save the life of
Lieutenant Greaves, of the Guides, at Nawa Kili, Upper Swat,
India, on August 17, 1897. Born on April 22,
1871, son of the Earl of Dunmore, Viscount Fincastle joined
the 16th Lancers in 1891, becoming Captain, October 17,
1899. Was A.D.C. to the Viceroy of India, 1894. Served in
Dongola Expedition, 1896, and Boer War, 1899-1902,
commanding Fincastle's Horse during that time. |
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Lieutenant Hector Lachlan Stewart
MacLean, Indian Staff Corps. |
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| This officer, had
he survived, would have been awarded the Victoria Cross for
his gallant conduct on August 17, 1897, in Upper Swat,
India, when, as recorded in the account of Colonel Adams
(V.C.), he attempted to save the life of Lieutenant Greaves.
Lieutenant MacLean had served in the Hazara Expedition. |
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Lieutenant Thomas Colclough Watson,
Royal Engineers. |
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| On September
16, 1897, Lieutenant Watson while at the attack on the
village of Bilot in the Mamund Valley, collected a few men
of the Buffs and Bengal Sappers and led them into the burning
village, in order to dislodge some of the enemy who were
inflicting loss on our troops. With conspicuous courage he
made two gallant attempts, but was on both occasions
repulsed and severely wounded. Captain Watson, born on
April 1, 1867 entered the Army in 1888, and was promoted to
the rank of Captain on November 19, 1898. |
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Lieutenant James Morris Colquhoun
Colvin, Royal Engineers. |
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| On the 16th of September 1897, at the
village of Bilot, in the Mamund Valley, Indian Frontier,
Lieutenant Colvin, after Lieutenant Watson (V.C.) had been
incapacitated from his wounds, continued in the attempt to
drive out the enemy from the burning village. His conduct
was most brave and his devotion to his men most noticeable,
as, during the whole affair, a very heavy fire was kept up
against them by the enemy. Born at Bijnor,
India, on August 26, 1870, Major Colvin is the son, of Mr.
J. C. Colvin, late Bengal Civil Service. Educated at
Charterhouse and Royal Military Academy, he joined the Royal
Engineers in 1889, becoming Lieutenant in 1892 ; Captain,
April 1, 1900 ; and Brevet-Major, August, 1902, for his
services in South Africa as an officer on special service.
Took part in the Chitral Relief Force, 1895 ; Malakand Field
Force, 1897 (mentioned in despatches) ; Buner Field Force,
1898 ; and South Africa, 1901-2.
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Corporal James Smith, The Buffs (East
Kent Regiment). |
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| On the night of
the16th of September1897, Lieutenant Watson (V.C.) called
for volunteers to enter the burning village of Bilot
(North-West Frontier of India), and drive the enemy out with
the bayonet. Corporal Smith followed his officer, and was
particularly noticeable for his gallant conduct on that
occasion. Later, although wounded, he continued firing
coolly and steadily, and assisted in removing the
wounded to a place prepared for their reception. The officer
afterwards left to obtain assistance for the wounded,
leaving Corporal Smith in charge of the men ; and during his
absence Smith directed the fire of his party, exposing
himself freely in order to watch the enemy, who were unable
to take the position, which was held most gallantly. |
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Lieutenant Henry Singleton Pennell,
Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment). |
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| On October 20, 1897,
during the attack on the Dargai Heights, Captain W. E. G.
Smith, of the Derbyshire Regiment, was shot, and Lieutenant
Pennell, under a terrific hail of bullets, ran to him, and
twice attempted in a most brave manner to carry him into
shelter. It was only when he found that the officer was dead
that he desisted from any further attempts.
Son of Mr. Edwin Pennell, of Dawlish, in Devonshire, Captain
Pennell was born on June 18, 1874. Educated at Eastbourne
College, he joined the Derbyshire Regiment in 1893 ;
promoted to 1st Lieutenant, 1896 ; Captain, 1900. Served in
Tirah Campaign, 1897-8, being mentioned in despatches as
well as gaining the Victoria Cross, which was presented to
him by Lieut.-Colonel Dowse at Bareilly, North-West India,
on September 2, 1898. Took part in the Boer War, 1899-1902,
being twice mentioned in despatches. Was severely wounded
during the Relief of Ladysmith. |
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Piper George Findlater, Gordon
Highlanders. |
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| The historic and superb
storming of the Dargai Heights took place on October 20,
1897. Piper Findlater was shot through both feet, but sat
up, under a terrific fire, and continued playing the
regimental march in order to encourage his comrades in the
charge. Decorated at Netley Hospital by Her late Majesty
Queen Victoria. |
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Private Edward Lawson, Gordon
Highlanders. |
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| Decorated for his conspicuous
bravery at the assault of the Dargai Heights on October 20,
1897. Under a terrific fire from the enemy he carried
Lieutenant Dingwall, who was severely wounded, from an open
spot to a safer position. Afterwards he acted in a similarly
brave manner towards Private McMillan, and during his heroic
action was wounded in two places. |
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Private Samuel Vickery, Dorsetshire
Regiment. |
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| Decorated for his courageous
conduct on October 20, 1897, at the storming of the Dargai
Heights, when he ran down the slope, under a very severe
fire, to the help of a wounded soldier whom he subsequently
carried back to shelter. Later on, when with
Brigadier-General Kempster's column in the Waran Valley, he
became separated from his company and was attacked by three
of the enemy, all of whom he killed. |
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EVII obverse.