Duncan Gordon Boyes VC

Name: Duncan Gordon Boyes

Conflict: Shimonoseki Expedition

Gazetted: April 21, 1865

Service: Royal Navy

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Duncan Gordon Boyes VC
Duncan Gordon Boyes VC Medals
Medal group

Place/date of birth: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire/November 5, 1846

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Midshipman

Date of bravery: September 6, 1864

London Gazette citation [joint citation]:

Mr Duncan Gordon Boyes, Midshipman, of Her Majesty’s ship ‘Euryalus’…Date of Act of Bravery, September 6th, 1864.

For the conspicuous gallantry which, according to the testimony of Captain Alexander, C.B., at that time Flag Captain to Vice-Admiral Sir Augustus Kuper, K.C.B., Mr. Boyes displayed on the occasion of the capture of the enemy’s stockade. He carried a Colour with the leading Company, kept it in advance of all, in the face of the thickest fire, his Colour-Serjeants having fallen, one mortally, the other dangerously, wounded; and he was only detained from proceeding yet further by the orders of his superior Officer. The Colour he carried was six times pierced by musket balls.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Dunedin, New Zealand/January 26, 1869

Grave/memorials: Anderson’s Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, New Zealand

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Spink, London, 1998

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