George Rodgers (VC)


George Rodgers VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Rodgers was about 29 years old, and a private in the 71st Regiment, British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 16 June 1858 at Marar, Gwalior for which he was awarded the VC:
Rodgers returned to Glasgow and died in a domestic accident. He visited his sister in order to get an alcoholic drink but was refused and told to lie down in her flat. Some time later Rodgers got up and found a bottle of sulphuric acid and thinking it was alcohol, drank it, causing his death. He was buried in a common grave in Glasgow's Southern Necropolis.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of The Royal Highland Fusiliers, Glasgow, Scotland.