Dighton Probyn
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General Sir Dighton MacNaghton Probyn VC, GCB, GCSI, GCVO, ISO (21 January 1833-20 June 1924) born in London he was an English 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.
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He was 24 years old, and a captain in the 2nd Punjab Cavalry, Indian Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On many occasions during the period 1857-1858 in India, Captain Probyn performed gallant and daring acts. On one occasion, at the Battle of Agra, when his squadron charged the rebel infantry, he was sometimes separated from his men and surrounded by five or six Sepoys. He defended himself and, before his own men had joined him, had cut down two of his assailants.
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Later Sir Dighton achieved the rank of general. He was in later life an ornament of the Victorian age, being Keeper of the Purse, a court sinecure position as well as Secretary to the Prince of Wales and Comptroller of the Household. This was an important position as the Prince and Princess were both profligate in spending and Sir Dighton had a hard job to keep them solvent. Testimony to his success was the fact that, when the Prince acceded at last in 1901, he was in credit at the bank. Probyn continued in this role throughout the King's rule and right up to his death.
Probyn was totally devoted to the Princess, then Queen-Empress, building gardens for her at Windsor Castle and Sandringham. The Queen returned the devotion, carrying round a knife with her to cut open his collar when he occasionally had seizures.
Probyn's Horse, a regiment of the Indian Army was named after him.
Sir Dighton had an impressive appearance in old age with a very long white beard reaching down to his navel which concealed his VC on ceremonial occasions.
- A colour portrait of Probyn is included in Kings, Queens & Courtiers, Kenneth Rose, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1985
[edit] The medal
24/09/2005 - The VC earned by General Sir Dighton Macnaughten Probyn, according to the London Times, was bought at auction yesterday for £160,000. Details of the purchaser were not given.
[edit] References
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Kensal Green Cemetery)
- Dighton Probyn at Find A Grave
