Robert George Scott

Lieutenant Colonel Robert George Scott VC DSO (22 April 1857 – 3 October 1918) 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
Scott was 21 years old, and a sergeant in the Cape Mounted Riflemen, Cape Colonial Forces during the Basuto Gun War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8 April 1879 during an attack on Morosi's Mountain, South Africa, Sergeant Scott volunteered to throw time-fuse shells as hand grenades over a wall of stone barricades from behind which the enemy were bringing heavy fire to bear on the Colonial troops. Sergeant Scott made his men take cover in case the shells burst prematurely before making two attempts to throw shells over it. At the second attempt the shell exploded almost in his hands blowing his right hand to pieces and wounding him severely in the leg.

Further information
Educated at Epsom College Scott later served in the Second Boer War with the Kimberley Light Horse and in the First World War. He later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.