Hugh Henry Gough
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General Sir Hugh Henry Gough VC, GCB (14 November 1833-12 May 1909) was born in Calcutta, India and 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.
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[edit] Details
He was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry , (later 19th Hussars) during the Indian rebellion of 1857 when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 12 November 1857 at Alumbagh, India, Lieutenant Gough charged across a swamp and captured two guns which were defended by a vastly superior body of the enemy. His horse was wounded in two places and he himself received sword cuts through his turban. On 25 February 1858 at Jellalabad he set a magnificent example to his regiment when ordered to charge the enemy's guns. He engaged himself in a series of single combats until at length he was disabled by a musket ball through his leg while charging two sepoys with fixed bayonets.
[edit] Further information
Brother of Major Charles John Stanley Gough, VC. Uncle of Bt/Major John Edmund Gough, VC. Grandson of Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough. He later achieved the rank of general.
[edit] The medal
Please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed.
[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)
