Ross Mangles

Ross Lowis Mangles VC (14 April 1833 – 28 February 1905) 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. Mangles is one of only five civilians to be awarded the VC.

Details
Mangles was 24 years old, and a civilian in the Bengal Civil Service during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place at Arrah for which he was awarded the VC: "Mr. Ross Lowis Mangles, of the Bengal Civil Service, Assistant Magistrate at Patna

Date of Act of Bravery, 30th July, 1857

Mr. Mangles volunteered and served with the Force, consisting of detachments of Her Majesty's 10th and 37th Regiments, and some Native Troops, despatched to the relief of Arrah, in July, 1857, under the Command of Captain Dunbar, of the 10th Regiment. The Force fell into an Ambuscade on the night of the 29th of July, 1857, and, during the retreat on the next morning, Mr. Mangles, with signal gallantry and generous self-devotion, and notwithstanding that he had himself been previously wounded, carried for several miles, out of action, a wounded soldier of Her Majesty's 37th Regiment, after binding up his wounds under a murderous fire, which killed or wounded almost the whole detachment and he bore him in safety to the boats."

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, England.

On the north wall of St Michael and All Angels Church, Pirbright is a brass memorial to Mangles. The oaks on the plaque represent England, his native land; the palms are for India, scene of his life’s work and, after his retirement, his passion for growing roses is also commemorated.