AN IRISH cavalryman Victoria Cross, won for four separate acts of bravery during the Indian Mutiny in 1857-1858, is expected to fetch about £38,000 at auction in London next month.
Sir Charles Gough, from Rathronan House, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, came from a unique family in that three of its members were awarded VCs Sir Charles, his son, and his younger brother. Members the family currently live in England.
Six decorations are being sold by a branch of the family at Spink, the specialist firm of medal auctioneers, on July 16th.
Sir Charles Gough was only 16 when he first went to India, where his great uncle, Field Marshal Viscount Gough, was Commander in Chief. The teenager was commissioned as a cornet in the 8th Bengal Cavalry. He took part in the Punjab Campaign of 1848-49 and, on the outbreak of the mutiny, his unit was directed to join the main army being hastily gathered together for the advance on Delhi, the capital.
All four incidents were in the area of Delhi, Locknow and Cawnpore. The first, according to the citation in the London Gazette, was for "gallantry in an affair at Khurkowdah, near Rohtuck, on 15 August, 1857". Sir Charles saved the life of his brother, Hugh, who lay" wounded on the ground. A painting recording the dramatic incident hangs in the Nationals Army Museum in London.
Three days later he led a charge of the Guide Cavalry and cut down two of the enemy's Sowars (native cavalrymen) and had a desperate hand to hand combat with one.
In another charge five months afterwards, he pierced one of the enemy's leaders with a sword thrust so that the weapon "was carried out of his hand in the melee. He defended himself with a revolver and shot two of the enemy".
In the final incident, he saved another officer and killed his opponent "immediately, cutting down another of the enemy in the same gallant manner".
As the native rising continued, Sir Charles and Hugh Gough became recognised as two of the most brilliant of the younger generation of cavalry leaders. Hugh Gough also won a VC during the mutiny, and Sir Charles's son, Captain Brevet Major J.E. Gough, won a similar honour in Somaliland, Central Africa, in 1903. He later died in the first World War.
Mr John Hayward of Spink, part of Christie's, said. "It's unique to have three VCs in one family ... We expect an enormous amount of interest."