James Hills-Johnes


Sir James Hills-Johnes, was a 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

Born James Hills on 20 August 1833 in Neechindipur, Bengal, India, he was son of James and Charlotte Hills. He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, the Edinburgh Institution and the Addiscombe Military Seminary, and was commissioned into the Bengal Artillery. Hills changed his surname to Hills-Johnes in 1882 on his marriage to Elizabeth Johnes, the younger daughter and coheiress of John Johnes of Dolaucothi, Carmarthenshire.

Military career

Hills-Johnes was a 23 years old second lieutenant in the Bengal Horse Artillery during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place at the Siege of Delhi on 9 July 1857 for which he and Henry Tombs were awarded the Victoria Cross:
Hills-Johnes was also present at the Siege of Lucknow, fought in the Second Anglo-Afghan War, and was made military governor of Kabul. Appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1881 and advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1893, he later achieved the rank of lieutenant general in the service of the Royal Artillery.

Later life

Hills-Johnes was High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire in 1886 and made an honorary freeman of the town of Carmarthen in 1910. He also served as a member of Carmarthenshire County Council. He died on 3 January 1919, aged 85, at his Dolaucothi Estate and was buried at Caio, Carmarthenshire.
Hills-Johnes' family history says his younger brother Charles Hills was the real father of Hollywood actress Merle Oberon. He was the brother-in-law of Lieutenant William George Cubitt VC and uncle of Brigadier Lewis Pugh Evans VC.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, London.