Sir Henry Wilmot, 5th Baronet

Brigadier-General Sir Henry Wilmot, 5th Baronet VC KCB (3 February 1831 – 7 April 1901) 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. He was also a Conservative politician.

Early life

Wilmot was born in Chaddesden, Derby,^[1] the son of Sir Henry Wilmot (4th Baronet) and his wife Maria Mundy daughter of Edmund Mundy of Shipley Hall.^[2]

Military career

Wilmot served as a captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) and fought in the Indian Mutiny. On 11 March 1858 at Lucknow, India, along with Private David Hawkes and Corporal William Nash, the following deed led to his being awarded the Victoria Cross:

Rifle Brigade, 2nd Battalion. Captain (now Brevet-Major) Henry Wilmot

Date of Act of Bravery, 11th March, 1858

For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow on the 11th March, 1858. Captain Wilmot's Company was engaged with a large body of the enemy, near the Iron Bridge. That officer found himself at the end of a street with only four of his men, opposed to a considerable body. One of the four was shot through both legs, and became utterly helpless: the two men lifted him up, and although Private Hawkes was severely wounded, he carried him for a considerable distance, exposed to the fire of the enemy, Captain Wilmot firing with the men's rifles, and covering the retreat of the

party. Despatch of Brigadier-General Walpole, C.B., dated 20th of March, 1858.^[3]

He later achieved the rank of brigadier-general.

Political career

Wilmot sat as Conservative Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire from 1869 to 1885.

Personal

Wilmot never married. He died in April 1901, aged 70, and was buried at Chaddesden and the baronetcy was inherited by his nephew Ralph Wilmot, son of Rev. Arthur Wilmot. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester, England.

References

• Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Sir Henry Wilmot
• Location of grave and VC medal
• Leigh Rayment's List of Baronets
• Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs
• The Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Victoria Cross Committee