Charles John Stanley Gough


Sir Charles John Stanley Gough was a senior British Indian Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Gough as born into an Anglo-Irish aristocratic family in Chittagong, Bengal, British India, on 28 January 1832.

Details

At age 16, Gough moved back to India, joined the 8th Bengal Cavalry, and served through the Second Anglo-Sikh War. By the age of 25, Gough was a major in the 5th Bengal European Cavalry.
During the Indian Mutiny, Gough and his brother Hugh were members of the Guides Corps, where they took part in the Siege of Lucknow and Gough was awarded the Victoria Cross for deeds which included saving his brother. The award was announced on 21 October 1859, and the citation read:
During the Second Anglo-Afghan War, he led a relief column to relieve the Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment, on which news Mohammed Jan ordered an assault on the garrison, which failed before he arrived.

Family

He was the son of Judge George Gough and Charlotte Margaret Becher; brother of General Sir Hugh Gough; father of General Sir Hubert Gough and Brigadier General Sir John Gough; and greatnephew of Field Marshal The 1st Viscount Gough. He later achieved the rank of general.

The Medal

His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.