George Fosbery

George Vincent Fosbery VC (1833 - 8 May 1907) was an English 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 about 30 years old, and a lieutenant in the 4th Bengal European Regiment, British Indian Army during the Umbeyla Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 30 October 1863 during the Umbeyla Campaign, North-West India, Lieutenant Fosbery led a party of his regiment to recapture the Crag Picquet, after its garrison had been driven in by the enemy and 60 of them killed. The approach to the Crag was very narrow but the lieutenant led his party with great coolness, and was the first man to gain the top of the Crag from his side of the attack. Subsequently, when the commanding officer was wounded, Lieutenant Fosbery assembled a party and pursued the routed enemy, inflicting on them further losses. See also Henry William Pitcher

Further information

*He later achieved the rank of Colonel.

*In 1895 he patented a design for a self-cocking revolver, which was taken up by the Webley & Scott Revolver & Arms Company. The Webley-Fosbery Automatic Revolver was produced as a six-shot .455 caliber and an eight-shot .38 caliber. It was issued to airmen in the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War.

*Sometime in the late 19th century he invented the Paradox gun. A gun made by Holland & Holland, so named because only the front two inches of the barrel were rifled; intended to be used as both rifle and shotgun.

The medal

In 1997 Fosbery's Victoria Cross was sold at an Alberta auction for $45,000 to an unidentified buyer.

External links

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