Henry Smith (VC)

Henry Smith
Born	c. 1825 Thames Ditton, Surrey
Died	18 August 1862 (aged 36–37) Gwalior, British India
Buried	Gwalior Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	52nd Regiment of Foot
Battles / wars	Indian Mutiny
Awards	Victoria Cross

Henry Smith VC (c. 1825 – 18 August 1862) 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.

Details

Smith was about 32 years old, and a lance corporal in the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot (later the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 14 September 1857 at Delhi, India for which he was awarded the VC:

Lance-Corporal Smith most gallantly carried away a wounded comrade under a heavy fire of grape and musketry on the Chaundee Chouck, in the city of Delhi, on the morning of the assault on the 14th September, 1857. (General Order of Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., dated Head Quarters, Delhi City, September 21, 1857.)

Further information

He later achieved the rank of sergeant, and died of cholera while serving in India. He was buried in a mass grave.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester, England.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)