Euston Henry Sartorius

Major General Euston Henry Sartorius VC, CB (6 June 1844-19 February 1925) was a 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

He was 35 years old, and a captain in the 59th Regiment (later The East Lancashire Regiment), British Army, during the Second Afghan War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 24 October 1879 at Shahjui, Afghanistan, Captain Sartorius led a party of four or five men against a number of the enemy who were occupying an almost inaccessible position on the top of a precipitous hill. The nature of the ground made any regular formation impossible, and Captain Sartorius and his men were fired on by the enemy as they reached the top of the steep pathway. The action was, however, a complete success owing to the gallant and cool bearing of the captain, although one of his men was killed and he himself was wounded by sword cuts in both hands.

Further information

Brother of Major Reginald William Sartorius, VC. He later achieved the rank of Major General.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum at Chelsea in London.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/surrey.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Surrey)"