Augustus Anson

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Lieutenant-Colonel Augustus Henry Archibald Anson VC (5 March 1835 – 17 November 1877) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Anson was a son of the 1st Earl of Lichfield and it was when he was 22 years old and a captain in the 84th Regiment of Foot (later the 2nd Bn, York and Lancaster Regiment), during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 28 September 1857 at Bolandshahr, India, the 9th Light Dragoons had charged through the town and were reforming on the Serai when the enemy tried to close the entrance by drawing their carts across it. Captain Anson, taking a lance, dashed out of the gateway and knocked the drivers off their carts. Owing to a wound in his left hand, he could not stop his horse and rode into the middle of the enemy who fired on him. At Lucknow, on 16 November 1857 he again showed great gallantry when he entered with a storming party on the gates being burst open; his horse was killed and he was slightly wounded. On his return to England, he married Amelia Claughton, a daughter of the future first Bishop of St Albans, Rev. Thomas Legh Claughton. Anson later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel and was some time Member of Parliament for Bewdley.