Henry Tombs

Major General  Sir Henry Tombs VC KCB (10 November 1825 – 2 August 1874) 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.

Early life
Henry Tombs was born in Calcutta, India on the 10th of November 1825. He was the youngest of seven to Major General John Tombs and Mary Remington. He was sent back to England for an education during which time he studied at Abingdon School. At the age of 14 he entered the East India Company's Seminary at Addiscombe, graduating in June 1841 and receiving a commission in the Bengal Horse Artillery. In 1869 he married Georgina Janet Stirling, the youngest daughter of Admiral Sir James Stirling. Their grandson Joseph Tombs received the VC for actions during World War I.

Military career
Henry Tombs received his first commission as second lieutenant in the Bengal Horse Artillery on the 11th June 1841 and first saw active service aged 18 during the Gwalior Campaign. He first distinguished himself whilst fighting at the Battle of Punniar with the No.16 Light Field Battery (horsedrawn) and was awarded the Bronze Star in 1843.

During the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846) Henry Tombs became Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant General Sir Harry Smith and was present at the Battle of Moodkee, the Battle of Ferozeshah and the Battle of Aliwal. He was awarded a Sutlej Medal with two clasps (for Ferozeshuhur and Aliwal) in 1848.

During the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848–1849) Henry Tombs was promoted to Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General of Artillery and was present at Battle of Ramnagar, the Battle of Chillianwallah and the Battle of Goojerat. He received the Punjab Medal with two clasps (for Chillianwallah and Goojerat) and was subsequently promoted Major.

Henry Tombs' saw service for a fourth time during the Indian Mutiny during which he commanded a troop of Horse Artillery. On the 31st of May, 1857 his horse was shot from beneath him for a first time. He fought at the Battle of Budleekeserai where two horses were shot from under him. Tombs was also present at the Siege of Delhi during which he commanded the Bengal Horse Artillery. It was during this siege, on the 9th of July, 1857 that he performed the act of gallantry for which he was to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Victoria Cross
At the age of thirty-one, when a major in the Bengal Horse Artillery, Bengal Army during the Indian Mutiny, the following deed took place at the Siege of Delhi for which he and James Hills were awarded the VC: "Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Tombs, C.B., and Lieutenant James Hills

Date of Act of Bravery, 9th July, 1857

For very gallant conduct on the part of Lieutenant Hills before Delhi, in defending the position assigned to him in case of alarm, and for noble behaviour on the part of Lieutenant-Colonel Tombs in twice coming to his subaltern's rescue, and on each occasion killing his man.

(See despatch of Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie, Commanding 1st Brigade Horse Artillery, dated Camp, near Delhi, 10th July, 1857, published in the Supplement to the London Gazette of the 16th January, 1858.)"

The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, London.