Battle of Nawabgunge
| Battle of Nawabgunge | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of Indian Mutiny | ||
| Date: | 13 June 1858 | |
| Location: | Nawabganj, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh | |
| Presidency: | Bengal | |
| Co-ordinates: | 26.907631°N 81.189659°E | |
| Result: | British victory | |
| Combatants | ||
| East India Company | Rebel Sepoys | |
| Commanders | ||
| Lt Gen James Hope Grant | Beni Madhoo | |
| Strength | ||
| Casualties | ||
Private Samuel Shaw VC
SHAW, Same. (reg No. 1133).
Private 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade
London Gazetted on 26th October 1858
VC Medal's Custodian is Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester, Hampshire.
Born at Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland (date unknown).
Died at sea on 27th December 1859.
Commemorated on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire.
Digest of Citation reads:
An armed Ghazi was seen entering a grove. A body of men, including officers, ran in search of him. Private Shaw, came across the rebel, and drew his short sword and rushed, single-handed, to attack the man. Private Shaw received a severe tulwar wound, during the struggle, but eventually overcame and killed the Ghazi.
Additional information:. Private Shaw also held the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).There was some doubt about the name Sam and whether his Christian name was really John. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross by Major General Sir James Hope Grant, KCB, who commanded the Lucknow Field Force. He died at sea, where the funeral was carried out near the coast of India.
Victoria Cross Research
"One man, a Ghazee, being cut off from his companions, seemed determined to make a desperate fight for it. Setting his back to a tree, he stood, sword in hand, glaring fiercely on his pursuers, for some officers and men had followed him into the tope. Some shots were taken at him, which he tried to avoid by dodging round the tree, but he was wounded and made more desperate. At last a Pioneer of the 3rd Battalion, Samuel Shaw, rushed at him and closed with him. The Ghazee wounded him on the head with his tulwar, but Shaw, drawing his Pioneer's sword, sawed at him with the serrated back and despatched him. Shaw rose from the ground covered with blood, but his opponent was slain. Many who witnessed it declared that this combat, with a fanatic determined to sell his life to slay his foe, was the greatest instance of cool courage they ever saw. For this act Shaw received the Victoria Cross."
History of the Rifle Brigade p391
External Links
- Indian Mutiny 1857-58 The British Empire
- Shaw's VC Wikipedia
Historical books online
- Action at Nawabgunge page 294 Up Among the Pandies: Or, A Year's Service in India by Vivian Dering Majendie 1859 Google Books
- History of the Rifle Brigade pp 387-393 by Sir William H. Cope 1877 Archive.org
Recommended Reading
"Indian Mutiny" by Saul David 2002 ISBN 0141005548
"My Indian Mutiny Diary" by WH Russell 1967 ISBN 0527781207