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The Victoria Cross Gallery,

British Works of Art.

Painted by The Chevalier Louis W. Desanges.

∵ This Collection of Fifty-Five Pictures is for Sale.

1 Private Samuel Parkes, V.C., 4th Light Dragoons.

In the charge of the Light Cavalry Brigade at Balaclava, Trumpet-Major Crawford's horse fell. He was attacked by two Cossacks, when Private Parkes saved his life by placing himself between them and the Trumpet-Major, and drove them away by his sword. In attempting to follow the Light Cavalry Brigade in the retreat, they were attacked by six Russians.

2 Lieutenant Francis Edward Henry Farquharson, V.C.,42nd Highlanders.

For conspicuous bravery when engaged before Lucknow, on the 9th March, 1858. in having led a portion of his company, stormed a bastion mounting two guns, and spiked the guns, by which the advanced position held during the night of the 9th of March was rendered secure from the fire of artillery. (See No. 29.)

3 Major Christopher Charles Teesdale, C.B., V.C., Royal Artillery. Date of act of bravery, the Battle of Kars, 29th September, 1855.

For gallant conduct in having thrown himself into the midst of the enemy, who had penetrated during the darkness of the night into the Yuksek Tabia redoubt, thus encouraging the garrison to make a vigorous attack. And, further, after having led the final charge, which completed the victory of the day, for having, at great personal risk, saved from the fury of the Turks many of the disabled among the enemy.

4 Private John M'Dermond, V.C., 47th Regiment.

Saving the life of Colonel Haly, on the 5th of November, 1854, by his intrepid conduct in rushing up to his rescue when lying on the ground disabled, and surrounded by a party of Russians.

5 Lieutenant William Hope, V.C., 7th Fusiliers.

After the troops had retreated on the morning of the 18th of June, 1855, Lieutenant W. Hope, being informed by the late Sergeant-Major William Bacon, who was himself wounded, that Lieutenant and Adjutant Hobson was lying outside the trenches badly wounded, went out to look for him, and found him lying in the old agricultural ditch running towards the left flank of the Redan. He then returned, and got four men to bring him in.

6 Captain (now Brevet Lieut-Col.) Dighton Macnaughten Probyn, C.B, V.C., 2nd Punjaub Cavalry.

At the Battle of Agra, when his squadron charged the rebel infantry. Captain Probyn, at the head of and in advance of his men, became for some time separated from his followers, and being surrounded by Sepoys, had to defend himself against fearful odds.

7 Captain Frederick Robertson Aikman, V.C., 3rd Sikh Cavalry.

Charging with 100 men a body of the Indian rebels, comprising 500 foot and 200 horse, on the march to Lucknow. In this action Captain Aikman captured two guns, completely routed the enemy, cutting up more than 100 men, and killing five with his own hand. He was severely wounded in the encounter.

8 Commanders John Talbot Burgoyne, V.C., and Cecil William Buckley, V.C.

The former, as senior Lieutenant of the "Swallow," the latter whilst serving as junior Lieutenant of the "Miranda" landed in presence of a superior force, and, lighting their port fires with their cigars, set fire to the Russian stores at Genitchi, on the 29th of May, 1855.

9 Colonel Bell, V.C., Royal Welsh Fusiliers (23rd Regiment).

Recommended for his gallantry, more particularly at the Battle of the Alma, where he was the first to seize upon and capture one of the enemy's guns, which was limbered up and being carried.

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10 Major Charles John Stanley Gough, V.C., 5th Bengal European Cavalry.

The scene is the roof of a house at Khurkouda, near Rhotuck, where a party of rebels have taken up a position, from which Major Hodson, Major C. Cough, V.C., Captain Hugh Cough. V.C., and Captain Ward, have succeeded in dislodging them. In the affray. Captain H. Cough, receiving a wound, falls, and, but for his brother's intervention, must have inevitably lost his life.

11 Commander Henry James Raby. V.C., and the late Lieutenant Edward Hughes D'Aeth, of H.M.S "Sidon," assisted by John Taylor (afterwards promoted to Boatswain for his constant gallantry and general good conduct), carrying from a most exposed spot a wounded soldier of the 57th Regiment.

Hearing that the poor fellow was sitting up and calling loudly for assistance, the party sallied forth, and, climbing over the breastwork of the advanced sap, proceeded upwards of seventy yards across the open space towards the salient angle of the Redan, and, in spite of the heavy fire which was still continuing, succeeded in carrying the wounded man to a place of safety at the imminent risk of their own lives. Commander Raby was the sole survivor to reap the reward and to wear the Cross.

12 Major Frederick Sleigh Roberts, V.C., Bengal Artillery. Date of act of bravery, 2nd January, 1858.

Lieutenant Roberts' gallantry has on every occasion been most marked. On following up the retreating enemy, on the 2nd January, 1858. at Khodagunge. He saw in the distance two Sepoys going away with a standard: he put spurs to his horse, and, overtaking them, the standard-bearer was cut down by this gallant young officer.

13 Captain William Alexander Kerr, V.C., South Mahratta Horse. Date of act of bravery, 10th July, 1857.

On the breaking out of the mutiny of the 27th Bombay Native Infantry, in July, 1857, a party of the mutineers took up a position in the stronghold, or Paga, near the town of Kolapoor, and defended themselves to extremity. In this action Lieutenant Kerr was severely wounded; and of his seventeen followers, eight were killed on the spot, four died subsequently of their wounds, and all the rest were more or less severely wounded.

14 Major Robert Dunn, V.C., 100th Regiment. Date of act of bravery, 25th October. 1854.

When Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars, in the Light Cavalry Charge at Balaclava, this officer saved the life of Sergeant Bentley, of the same regiment, by cutting down two or three Russian Lancers who were attacking him from the rear.

15 Captain Luke O'Connor. V.C., 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Was one of the Sergeants at the Battle of the Alma, and advanced between the officers, carrying the colours. When near the redoubt. Lieutenant Anstruther, who was carrying a colour, was mortally wounded; and Sergeant O'Connor was shot in the breast at the same time and fell, but recovering himself, snatched up the colour from the ground, and continued to carry it till the end of the action, although urged by Captain Granville to relinquish it and go to the rear on account of his wound.

16 Ross L. Mangles, Esq., V.C., Bengal Civil Service, Assistant-Magistrate at Patna.

On the 30th July, 1857, Mr Mangles volunteered and served with the force consisting of detachments of H.M.'s 10th and 37th Regiments and some native troops, despatched to the relief of Arrah. Under the command of Captain Dunbar, of the 10th Regiment. The force fell into an ambuscade on the night of the 29th. and during the retreat next morning. Mr. Mangles, with signal gallantry and self-devotion, and notwithstanding that he had himself been previously wounded, carried for several miles out of action a wounded soldier of the 37th Regiment.

17 "The Battle of Kooshab," 8th of February. 1857. Lieutenant and Adjutant Arthur Moore, V.C., and Lieutenant John Grant Malcolmson, V.C., 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry.

On the occasion of the breaking of the Persian square by the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry, led by Colonel Forbes, C.B., Lieutenant Moore was foremost by a horse's length. He leaped into the square, and his horse fell dead, and he would have inevitably lost his life had not his gallant brother officer. Lieutenant Malcolmson, observing the Adjutant's peril, fought his way back through the broken ranks of the enemy, and, giving him a stirrup, safely carried him through everything out of the throng.

18 Colour-Sergeant Henry M'Donald, Royal Engineers, V.C., Knight of the Legion of Honour. Date of act of bravery, 19th April, 1856.

For gallant conduct when engaged in effecting a lodgment in the enemy's rifle-pits in front of the left advance of the right attack on Sebastopol; and for subsequent valour.

19 Dr. Home. V.C., and Dr. Bradshaw, V.C., 90th Regiment.

In charge of the sick and wounded, having missed the road to the Residency, penetrated into the heart of Lucknow. When a fearful massacre by fire and sword took place. Nearly all the escort and dooley-barers having been shot down by the mutineers, Drs. Home and Bradshaw, with a very few survivors, gallantly defended each other from behind some sheds until they were delivered from their living tomb the next day.—A sketch.

20 Private Henry Ward, V.C., 78th Highlanders. Date of act of bravery, 26th September, 1857.

For his gallant and devoted conduct in having, on the night of the 25th and morning of the 26th September, remained by the dooley of Sir H. M. Havelock, Bart., V.C., then Lieutenant, H.M.'s 10th Foot, Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General Field Force, who was severely wounded, and, on the morning of the 26th. escorted that officer and Private Pilkington, 78th Highlanders, who receiving a wound, had flung himself into the dooley, thereby causing the bearers to drop their double load. (Relief of Lucknow.)

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21 Commander William Nathan Wright Hewett, V.C., R.N.

1st—On the occasion of a repulse of a sortie of Russians, by Sir de Lacy Evans's Division on the 26th October, 1854, Mr. Hewett. then Acting-Mate of Her Majesty's ship "Beagle," was in charge of the right Lancaster Battery before Sebastopol. The advance of the Russians placed the gun in great jeopardy, their skirmishers advancing within 300 yards of the battery, and pouring in a sharp fire from their Minié rifles. By some misapprehension the word was passed to spike the gun and retreat; but Mr. Hewett. taking upon himself the responsibility of disregarding the order, replied that "Such order did not come from Captain Lushington, and he would not do it till it did." For the gallantry exhibited on this occasion, the Board of Admiralty promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant. 2nd—on the 6th November. 1854, at the battle of Inkermann, Captain Lushington again brought before the Commander-in-Chief the services of Mr. Hewett, saying, "I have much pleasure in again bringing Mr. Hewett's gallant conduct to your notice."

22 Dr. Sylvester, V.C., assisted by Corporal Shields, V.C., succouring Lieutenant and Adjutant Dyneley, 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. (See No. 36.)

23 Lieutenant (now Major) Leith, V.C., 14th K.L.D., saving Captain Need's life at the Battle of the Betwah, 1st April, 1858.

24 Lieutenant-Colonel Loyd Lindsay, V.C., Scots Fusilier Guards.

When the formation of the line of the regiment was disordered at Alma. Captain Lindsay stood firm with the colours, and by his example and energy greatly tended to restore order. At Inkermann, at a most trying moment, he, with a few men, charged a party of Russians, driving them back, and running one through the body himself.

25 James Mouat. Esq., C.B., V.C., Deputy Inspector-General (late 6th Dragoon Guards), assisted by Sergeant Woodin, V.C., 17th Lancers, dressing Colonel Morris's wounds under fire at Balaclava, 25th October, 1855.

26 Lieutenant Harry North Dalrymple Prendergast, V.C., Madras Engineers.

At the action of "The Betwah," Lieutenant Prendergast voluntarily acted as Sir Hugh Rose's Aide-de-Camp, and distinguished himself by his bravery in the charge which was made with Captain Need's troop, H.M.'s 14th Light Dragoons, against the left of the so-called Peishwa's army, under Tantia Topee. He was severely wounded on that occasion. (See also No. 23.)

27 Colonel Henry Tombs, C.B., V.C., and Lieutenant James Hills, V.C., Bengal Artillery.

On the 9th July. 1857, Lieutenant Hills was on picket duty with two guns at the mound to the right of camp. At about 11 o'clock there was a rumour that the enemy's cavalry were coming down on this post. Lieutenant Hills proceeded to take up the position assigned in case of alarm; but before he reached the spot, he saw the enemy close upon his guns before they had time to form up. Having given a rapid order to his sergeant. Lieutenant Hills boldly charged, single-handed, the head of the enemy's column, cut the first man down, struck the second, and was then ridden down, horse and all. On rising, he was attacked by three of the enemy; one he despatched, another he wounded, and having fallen in the struggle with the third, would have inevitably lost his life, but for the almost miraculous intervention of Colonel Tombs, who, having crossed the path of the enemy's cavalry, and having escaped apparently certain death in so doing, shot one of the remaining assailants, and is represented in the picture as about to cut down the other.

Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Tombs, C.B., and Lieutenant James Hills.

"Date of act of bravery, 9th July, 1857. For very gallant conduct on the part of Lieutenant Hills before Delhi, in defending the position assigned to him in case of alarm. And for noble behaviour on the part of Lieutenant-Colonel Tombs, in twice coming to his subaltern's rescue, and on each time killing his man."—From " Gazette" of 27th April, 1858.

28 Private Anthony Palmer, V.C., 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Present when the charge was made in defence of the colours, and also charged singly upon the enemy, as witnessed by Sir C. Russell; is said to have saved Sir C. Russell's life.

29 Lieutenant Thomas Adair Butler, V.C., 1st Bengal Fusiliers.

". . . . of which success the skirmishers on the other side of the river were apprised by Lieutenant Butler, of the Bengal Fusiliers, who swam across the Goomtee, and, climbing the parapet, remained in that position for a considerable time, under a heavy fire of musketry, until the work was occupied, 9th March, 1858."—Extract of Major-General Sir J. Outram's Memorandum in the Governor-General's "Gazette Extraordinary," Saturday, 5th April, 1858. (See No. 2.)

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30 Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Russell. Bart., V.C., &c., Grenadier Guards.

Offered to dislodge a party of Russians from the Sand-bag Battery, if anyone would follow him; Sergeant Norman, Privates Anthony Palmer and Bailey (who was killed) volunteered the first. The attack succeeded.

"Our ammunition was failing us, and the men, armed with stones, flung them into the masses of Russians, who caught the idea, and the air was thick with huge stones flying in all directions; but we were too much for them, and once more a mêlée of Grenadiers. Coldstreams, and Fusiliers held the battery their own, and from it on the solid masses of the Russians still poured as good a fire as our ammunition would permit. There were repeated cries of ' Charge!' and some man near me said, 'If any officer will lead us, we will charge'; and as I was the only one just there, I could not refuse such an appeal, so I jumped into the embrasure, and, waving my revolver, said,' Come on my lads, who will follow mo? I then rushed on, fired my revolver at a fellow close to me. But it missed fire. I pulled again, and think I killed him. Just then a man touched me on the shoulder, and said, 'You was near done for.' I said, 'Oh no, he was some way from me.' He answered, 'His bayonet was all but into you when I clouted him over the head.' And sure enough a fellow had got behind me and nearly settled me. I must add that the Grenadier who accompanied me was publicly made a corporal on parade next morning. His name is Palmer. I did not know it, but I said, 'What's your name? Well, if I live through this, you shall not be forgotten.'"—Extract from a letter written by Sir Charles to his mother after the Battle of Inkermann.

31 Sergeant Alfred Ablett, V.C., 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards.

On the 2nd September, 1855, seeing a shell falling in the centre of a number of ammunition cases and powder, he instantly seized and threw it outside the trench; it burst as it touched the ground.

32 Lieutenant William George Cubitt, V.C., 13th Bengal, N.I. Bate of act of bravery, 30th June, 1857.

For having, on the retreat from Chinhut, under most adverse circumstances, and at the imminent risk of his own life, saved the lives of three men of the 32nd Regiment.

33 Colonel the Hon. Hugh Percy, V.C., Legion d'Honneur (Aide-de-Camp to the Queen), Grenadier Guards, dislodging the enemy from the Sand-bag Battery at the Battle of Inkermann.

34 Lieutenant Young, V.C., William Hall, A.B., V.C., and Lieutenant Nowell Salmon, V.C.

Received the Cross—the two former for fighting the "Shannon" 24-pounder gun close under the wall of the Shahnujeef before Lucknow, under a very heavy fire (hand-grenades bursting all around); the latter for volunteering and climbing into a tree overlooking the wall to stop the mutineers' fire by shooting them with rifles that were handed up by a Private of the 93rd Highlanders. Lieutenant Salmon was badly wounded in this action.—16th November, 1857. (Relief of Lucknow.)

35 Thomas Henry Kavanagh, Esq., V.C., Assistant-Commissioner in Oude.

On the 9th of November, 1857, Mr. Kavanagh. then serving under the orders of Lieut.-General Sir James Outram, in Lucknow, volunteered on the dangerous duty of passing through the city to the camp of Sir Colin Campbell, the Commander-in-Chief, for the purpose of guiding the relieving force to the beleaguered garrison in the Residency, a task which he performed with chivalrous gallantry and devotion.

36 Corporal Robert Shields, V.C., Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, 23rd Regiment (Royal Welsh Fusiliers), seeking his wounded Adjutant, Lieutenant Dyneley.

After the unsuccessful attack on the Redan, before Sebastopol, on the 8th of September, 1855, the Adjutant was missing. Corporal Shields immediately volunteered to return to the scene of the attack, search for him, and bring him in. On turning the angle of a rock which shielded him from the fire, he discovered his officer and friend mortally wounded. Afterwards, assisted by others who volunteered, Corporal Shields brought the Adjutant in, under a heavy fire from the enemy. For this noble action the Cross of the Legion of Honour was conferred upon Corporal Shields by the Emperor of the French; and on the institution of the Order of Valour, the Corporal was one of its earliest recipients.

37 Brevet-Major Gerald Littlehales Goodlake, V.C., Coldstream Guards.

For distinguished gallantry whilst in command of the sharp-shooters furnished by the Guards, on the 28th October, 1854, on the occasion of "the powerful sortie on the 2nd Division," when he held the Windmill Ravine, below the Picquet House, against a much larger force of the enemy. The party of sharpshooters then under his command killed 38, and took three prisoners of the enemy. Major Goodlake being the sole officer in command. Also for distinguished gallantry on the occasion of the surprise of a picquet of the enemy, in November.

38 Commander George Fiott Day, V.C., R.N.

With great gallantry this officer landed and twice successfully carried out a reconnaissance within the enemy's Tines at Genitchi, advancing to within about 200 yards of the enemy's gun vessels. From the silence on board them it was his conviction that they were without crews, and when he returned it was with the full impression that an expedition to surprise them would be feasible; but on the following day, increasing activity being apparent in the direction of the vessels, he again at night visited the spot, when, finding the vessels manned and their crews on the alert, he relinquished the idea of attempting a surprise.

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39 Major Elphinstone, V.C., Royal Engineers, recovering scaling ladders on the night of the 18th of June, after the repulse of the British at the Redan.

40 Captain Andrew Henry, V.C., Land Transport Corps (late Royal Artillery).

Received the Cross for defending the guns of his battery against overwhelming numbers of the enemy at the Battle of Inkermann and continuing to do so until he had received twelve bayonet wounds. He was at the time Sergeant-Major of G Battery, 2nd Division.

41 Colonel Collingwood Dickson, C.B., V.C. (Aide-de-Camp to the Queen), Royal Artillery.

Directing and personally assisting in bringing in powder to the battery from a waggon in a very exposed position under a destructive fire from Sebastopol, a shot having disabled the horses.—17th October, 1854.

42 Dr. J. Jee, C.B., V.C., Surgeon, Assistant-Surgeon Valentine M. M'Master, V.C., and Lieutenant and Adjutant Herbert T. Macpherson, V.C., 78th Highlanders.

Drs. Jce and M'Master received the Victoria Cross for heroic self-devotion, and the intrepidity with which they exposed themselves to the fire of the enemy, in bringing in and attending to the wounded, on the 25th of September, at Lucknow. Lieutenant Macpherson, for distinguished conduct at the head of the regiment, when they captured two brass 9-pounders, at the point of the bayonet.

43 Captain John Edmund Commerell, R.N., V.C.

When commanding the "Weser," in the Sea of Azoff, crossed the Isthmus of Arabat, and destroyed large quantities of forage on the Crimean shore of the Sivash. The enterprise was performed by Commander Commerell at night, accompanied by William Rickard, Quartermaster, and George Milestone, A.B.

44 Private John J. Sims, V.C., 34th Regiment.

For having, on the 18th June, 1855, after the regiment had retired into the trenches from the assault on the Redan, gone out into the open ground, under a heavy fire in broad daylight, and brought in wounded soldiers outside the trenches.

45 Private T. R. Roberts, V.C., 9th Lancers. Date of act of bravery, 28th September, 1857.

This gallant soldier died shortly after he had given a sitting to the artist, and before sufficient description of the event had been obtained for the execution of a picture.

46 Captain Henry Evelyn Wood, V.C., 17th Lancers.

A Potail of the name of Clemmun-Singh and his relations, having incurred the enmity of a band of robbers who infested the jungles between Beora and Muksudnugger, were carried into captivity, and would inevitably have been murdered but for the gallantry of Lieutenant Wood, who, with a Duffador and one Sowar of Beatson's Horse, rescued the prisoners and put to flight about 70 of the rebels, 9th February, 1860.

48 Lieutenant Charles George Baker, V.C., Bengal Police Battalion.

For gallant conduct on the occasion of an attack on the rebels at Suhejnee, near Peroo, on the 27th September, 1858.

49 Lieutenants Duncan Charles Home, V.C., and Philip Salkeld, V.C., 1st Bengal Engineers, with Bugler Hawthorne, V.C., 62nd Regiment.

Immediately after the blowing in of the Cashmere Gate, Delhi, on the 14th September, 1857.

50 Lieutenant Robert M. Rogers. V.C., 44th Regiment, and Lieutenant Edmund H. Lenon, V.C., 67th Regiment.

For distinguished gallantry in entering the North Taku Fort by an embrasure during the assault, 21st August, 1800. Second Chinese war.

51 Lieutenant Andrew Cathcart Bogle. V.C., 78th Highlanders.

For conspicuous gallantry on the 29th of July, 1857, in the attack at Onao, in leading the way into a loop-holed house strongly occupied by the enemy.

52 Lieutenant Francis D. M. Brown, V.C., 1st Bengal Fusiliers.

For great gallantry at Narrioul, on the 16th November, 1857, in having rushed to the assistance of wounded soldier of his regiment, whom he carried off under a heavy fire.

53 Mr. William Fraser M Donnell. V.C., of the Bengal Civil Service, Magistrate of Sarun.

For great coolness and bravery on the 30th of July, 1857. during the retreat of the British troops from Arrah in having climbed, under fire, outside the boat in which he and several soldiers were, up to the rudder, and with considerable difficulty cut through the lashing which secured it to the side of the boat. On the lashing being cut the boat obeyed the helm, and thus 35 European soldiers escaped certain death.

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54 The Battle of Inkermann.

Lord Raglan, anxious to gain some commanding point which would enable him to obtain a more definite notion of the disposition and numbers of the enemy, was moving with his staff along the ridge in front of the second division camp, when General Strangways, who was riding at his side, was mortally wounded by a shell which burst inside Colonel Somerset's horse, that officer miraculously escaping uninjured. The battle was raging on every part of the field. The struggle in the Sand-bag Battery was desperately maintained against fearful odds by guardsmen and linesmen intermixed, animated by the presence of the Duke of Cambridge, whose horse was shot under him during the conflict. It was about 11 o'clock when the welcome sounds of the French bugles were heard above the rattling and rolling of the firing. The Zouaves came upon the right. The enemy's left flank was turned. His batteries on the heights were silenced by Dickson's guns. By 12 o'clock the Russian columns were in full retreat along the whole of the line, and the day was ours.—Extract from a letter from the Crimea.

55 Lieutenant John Watson, 1st Punjaub Cavalry.

On the 14th November, 1857, Lieutenant Watson came upon a body of the rebels. The Ressaldar in command rode up and presented his pistol, fired, fortunately without result; thereupon Watson ran the Ressaldar through the body.

56 The Hero of No. 35.