Augustus Anson

Lieutenant-Colonel The Honourable Augustus Henry Archibald Anson VC MP (5 March 1835 – 17 November 1877) 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.

He was member of parliament for Lichfield from 1859 until 1868 and for Bewdley from 1869 to 1874.

Life
Anson was a son of the 1st Earl of Lichfield and it was when he was 22 years old and a captain in the 84th Regiment of Foot (later the 2nd Bn, York and Lancaster Regiment), during the Indian Mutiny when the following deeds took place on 28 September 1857 at Bolandshahr and at Lucknow, on 16 November 1857 for which he was awarded the VC: "For conspicuous bravery at Bolundshahur, on the 28th September, 1857. The 9th Light Dragoons had charged through the town, and were reforming in the Serai; the enemy attempted to close the entrance by drawing their carts across it, so as to shut in the cavalry and form a cover from which to fire upon them. Captain Anson, taking a lance, dashed out of the gateway, and knocked the drivers off their carts. Owing to a wound in his left hand, received at Delhi, he could not stop his horse, and rode into the middle of the enemy, who fired a volley at him, one ball passing through his coat. At Lucknow, at the assault of the Secundra Bagh, on 16th November, 1857, he entered with the storming party on the gates being burst open. He had his horse killed, and was himself slightly wounded. He has shewn the greatest gallantry on every occasion, and has slain many enemies in fight. Despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant, K.C.B., dated 12th August, 1858"

On his return to England, he married Amelia Claughton, a daughter of the future first Bishop of St Albans, Rev. Thomas Legh Claughton. Anson later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1859, he was elected Member of Parliament for Lichfield as a Liberal, holding the seat until 1868. At a by-election in 1869, he was elected to represent Bewdley, remaining in parliament until 1874.

In 1870, he was one of two directors of The Land and Sea Telegraph Construction Company Ltd. as it applied to be wound up, the other being William Palliser. Anson was then "of Dudley House, Park-lane, in the county of Middlesex".

Anson died at the age of 42 in Cannes, France and was buried there. There is a memorial plaque to him in Lichfield Cathedral.