Hugh Henry Gough

General Sir Hugh Henry Gough /ˈɡɒf/ 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.

Details

He was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry (later 19th Hussars) during the Indian Mutiny when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC:

1st Bengal European Light Cavalry, Lieutenant Hugh Henry Gough

Date of Acts of Bravery, 12th November, 1857, and 25th February, 1858

Lieutenant Gough, when in command of a party of Hodson's Horse, near Alumbagh, on the 12th of November, 1857, particularly distinguished himself by his forward bearing in charging across a swamp, and capturing two guns, although defended by a vastly superior body of the enemy. On this occasion he had his horse wounded in two places, and his turban cut through by sword cuts, whilst engaged in combat with three Sepoys.

Lieutenant Gough also particularly distinguished himself, near Jellalabad, Lucknow, on the 25th February, 1858, by showing a brilliant example to his Regiment, when ordered to charge the enemy's guns, and by his gallant and forward conduct, he enabled them to effect their object. On this occasion he engaged himself in a series of single combats, until at length he was disabled by a musketball through the leg, while charging two Sepoys with fixed bayonets. Lieutenant Gough on this day had two horses killed under him, a shot through his helmet, and another through his scabbard, besides being severely wounded.

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Further information

Gough was the son of Judge George Gough and Charlotte Margaret Becher. He was brother to General Sir Charles John Stanley Gough VC and uncle of the World War I commanders General Sir Hubert Gough and Brigadier General Sir John Edmund Gough VC. He was the grandson of Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough.^[2] His daughter Charlotte Elise Gough (died 17 August 1942) married the World War I commander Sir Henry Fuller Maitland Wilson.^[3] Gough later achieved the rank of general and was appointed Keeper of the Jewel House at the Tower of London.

Works

• Old Memories. Cornell University Library (1 January 1897) ISBN 978-1429741279

Notes

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)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Kensal Green Cemetery)
• Biography