Samuel Hodge

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Samuel Hodge VC (1840- 14 January 1868) was a West Indian 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 approximately 26 years old, and a private in the 4th West India Regiment, British Army during The Gambia when, on 30 June 1866 at Tubabecelong, near the River Gambia, Gambia, at the storming and capture of the stockaded town, Private Hodge and another man, who was afterwards killed, volunteered to hew down the stockade. After the colonel had effected an entrance Hodge followed him through the town, opening with his ax two barricaded gates and so allowing the support troops to enter. On reaching the other side of the town Private Hodge was acclaimed as the bravest man in the regiment, but he was severely wounded. He later achieved the rank of Lance-corporal.

A Tortolian from the Virgin Islands, he was the first black man to be awarded the Victoria Cross.