Charles Anderson VC

Place/date of birth: Liverpool, Lancashire/ c. 1826

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Private (Corporal)

Date of bravery: October 8, 1858

London Gazette citation:

For saving the life of Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour, C.B., commanding the regiment, in an attack made on him on the 8th of October, 1858, by mutinous sepoys, in a dense jungle of sugar canes, from which an attempt was made to dislodge them. The mutineers were between 30 and 40 in number. They suddenly opened fire on Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour and his party at a few yards distance, and immediately afterwards rushed in upon them with drawn (native) swords. Pistolling a man, cutting at him, and emptying with deadly effect at arm’s length every barrel of his revolver, Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour was cut down by two sword cuts, when the two men above recommended, rushed to his rescue, and the Trumpeter shooting a man with his pistol in the act of cutting at him, and both Trumpeter and Dragoon driving at the enemy with their swords, enabled him to arise, and assist in defending himself again, when the whole of the enemy were dispatched. The occurrence took place soon after the action fought near Sundeela, Oudh, on the date abovementioned.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Seaham Harbour, County Durham/April 19, 1899

Grave/memorials: Princess Road Cemetery, Seaham, County Durham

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 2017

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum