- Henry William Pitcher
Henry William Pitcher VC (
1841 -5 July 1875 ) was an English recipient of theVictoria 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 22 years old, and a
lieutenant in the4th Punjab Infantry ,Indian Army during theUmbeyla Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.On
30 October 1863 in North-WestIndia , Lieutenant Pitcher led a party to recapture theCrag Picquet after its garrison had been driven in by the enemy and 60 of them killed. He led the party up the narrow path to the last rock until he was knocked down and stunned by a large stone thrown from above. On 16 November the lieutenant displayed great courage in leading a party to the Crag Picquet when it had again fallen into enemy hands. He led the first charge, but was wounded in the action. See alsoGeorge Vincent Fosbery Further information
He was the 2nd son of Vincent Pitcher and Rose Mary le Geyt, daughter of Admiral George le Geyt and was born on the 20th December 1840 at Kamptee in India. His elder brother Colonel Duncan George Pitcher also served in India. He later achieved the rank of
Captain and was killed, while part of the1st Punjab Infantry , on5 July 1875 atDehra Ghazi Khan .
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