Percival Marling

Colonel Sir Percival Scrope Marling, 3rd Baronet VC, CB, DL (6 March 1861 – 29 May 1936) 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.

Born on 6 March 1861, he was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, British Army, attached Mounted Infantry during the Mahdist War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 13 March 1884 at the Battle of Tamai in the Sudan during the Mahdist War, Lieutenant Marling risked his life to save that of a private of The Royal Sussex Regiment who had been shot. His citation reads: "For his conspicuous bravery at the battle of Tamai, on 13th March last, in risking his life to save that of Private Morley, Royal Sussex Regiment, who, having been shot, was lifted and placed in front of Lieutenant Marling on his horse. He fell off almost immediately, when Lieutenant Marling dismounted, and gave up his horse for the purpose of carrying off Private Morley, the enemy pressing close on to them until they succeeded in carrying him about 80 yards to a place of comparative safety."

Marling later served in the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1901) in South Africa, where in March 1901 he took over the command of the 18th Hussars.

On 20 October 1903, he was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Gloucestershire, and in 1923 was appointed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.

He later achieved the rank of colonel and died on 29 May 1936.

The Medal
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.