VC Action: William George Hawtry Bankes VC (Wimborne Minster, Dorset September 11, 1836 - India 1858) was 21 years old, and a Cornet in the 7th Hussars (The Queen's Own), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
In the spring of 1857 William Bankes enlisted into the Army at Aldershot as Cornet Bankes of the 7th Queen’s Own Hussars. This was the time of the Indian Mutiny and on 27th August 1857 the regiment sailed for India aboard the clipper ‘Lightning’, arriving at Calcutta on November the 25th, after 88 days. The troops disembarked on December 1st and moved into Fort William.
The 7th then moved from Fort William via Rail to Rannegai and moved by foot (the Officers in Palanquins) 70 Miles to Allhabad where the Regiment were to take receipt of horses that had been secured by Colonel Hagart (Commanding Officer 7th Hussars) and his advance party of Veterinary Surgeon J Barker, and two Sergeants, who had travelled to India via road earlier. The 7th were in Allhabad by the 13th December and after breaking in the horses they then moved on horseback to Cownpore before ultimately departing for Lucknow.
The regiment first saw action in February 1858 when escorting convoys between Cownpore and Lucknow. The 7th Hussars were present and actively involved during the entire operation involving the siege and relief of Lucknow under the overall command of Sir Colin Campbell.
On 19 March 1858 at Lucknow, India during the Indian Mutiny, Cornet Bankes led three charges against a body of fanatical rebels who had rushed the guns in the vicinity of Moosa-Bagh that were employed in shelling a small mud fort. In the course of these charges the young officer killed three of the enemy but was almost cut to pieces, receiving 11 wounds.
Following the action he was transferred to the Military Hospital where he had his right arm and right leg amputated, and the remainder of his wounds treated. His recovery was so good that whilst talking with the war correspondent, William Howard Russell, he spoke of going sailing upon his return to England. Unfortunately on April the 6th 1858 Cornet William George Hawtry Bankes died from infection to his wounds.
The award was presented personally to his mother by Queen Victoria at the family home of Kingston Lacey House, Dorset. |
