The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

The Indian Mutiny medal to General Sir Charles Gough, V.C., G.C.B., for services with Hodson’s Horse

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Delhi, Lucknow (Captn. C. I. S. Gough, 1st Regt. Hodson’s Horse) nearly extremely fine £12000-15000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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Gough’s V.C. group, which was sold by Spink in July 1996, contained a second Indian Mutiny medal correctly named to Captain Gough in the ‘Guide Corps’. His claim appears on the rolls for both units.

Charles John Stanley Gough, a member of the famous military family, was born at Chittagong on 28 January 1832. He was the second son of George Gough, Bengal Civil Service, of Rathronan, Co. Tipperary, and entered the Bengal Army on 20 March 1848, being posted Cornet in the 8th Bengal Light Cavalry. He served in the Second Sikh War, and was present at Ramnaggur, the passage of the Chenab, and the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat. In 1857, having transferred to the Corps of Guides, he took part in their famous march from Hoti-Mardan to Delhi, covering 580 miles in 28 days, after which the regiment went immediately into action.

At Khurkowdah on 15 August, he saved the life of his brother, Hugh Gough of Hodson’s Horse, who, in confronting a party of mutineers on the roof of a house, was forced back and fell when stepping down onto a lower level. ‘While thus half falling,’ Sir Hugh recalled, ‘one man made a cut at me with his heavy sword, which cut right down my riding boot. Another was aiming a better directed blow, when my brother, seeing my danger, rushed forward and attacked the two, killing both, and thus undoubtedly saved my life.’ Three days later Charles Gough led a troop of Guides Cavalry in a charge at Rhotak and cut down two rebels in hand-to-hand combat. For his services at Delhi he was mentioned in Hodson’s despatch (Calcutta Gazette 5 December 1857).

After the capture of Delhi, Gough transferred to Hodson’s Horse, and in January 1858 accompanied William Hodson and his second in command, Charlie McDowell, on an expedition to Shamsabad. Several hundred rebels were reported to have taken up

a position round one of the Ganges fords and Hodson looked forward to another successful encounter. But it was with some concern that he reconnoitred the well selected enemy position. A ravine running across the front made it impossible for cavalry attack and impassable for guns. Abruptly the mutineers opened fire with their artillery and a round shot passed clean through McDowell’s horse and ripped off his right leg. McDowell’s screams for a doctor were drowned out by the horse artillery galloping up the road. Hodson, Gough and 108 troopers moved off with the guns and crossed the ravine by a stone bridge. The rebel cavalry charged, and Hodson, deciding to leave the horse artillery guns unprotected, called to Gough to follow him in a head-on encounter. Gough drove his sword right through the enemy’s leading man, only to find it wrenched from his grasp as his victim galloped past. Defending himself with his revolver, he killed two more rebels before Hodson gave the order to disengage. After the fight, they rode back to McDowell to find him mortally wounded and with just a few hours to live.

For these deeds and a further act of gallantry at Meangunge, where he saved Brevet Major O. H. St. George Anson from certain death on 28 February, Gough was awarded the Victoria Cross (London Gazette 20 July 1858). He was mentioned in despatches on two further occasions (Calcutta Gazette 24 December 1857 and 24 March 1858) and promoted to Major in July 1858. Later that year he transferred to the 19th Hussars, and in 1864, was appointed to the command of the 5th Bengal Cavalry. He served in the Bhootan Expedition of 1864-65, and commanded a brigade in the Second Afghan War, for which he received a K.C.B., and, in 1881 he was given command of the Hyderabad Contingent. Promoted full General on 1 April 1894, he was advanced to a G.C.B. in 1895, and died on 6 September 1912.

Refs: Hodson’s Horse (Cardew); Rider on a Grey Horse (Joynson Cork); Leader of Light Horse (Trotter); Hart’s Army List.