Robert Humpston

Robert Humpston VC (1832 – 22 December 1884) 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.

Robert Humpston
Depiction of the Siege of Sebastopol
Born1832
Derby, Derbyshire
Died22 December 1884 (aged 52)
Derby
Buried
General Cemetery, Nottingham
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
UnitRifle Brigade
Battles/warsCrimean War
Indian Mutiny
AwardsVictoria Cross

Humpston was about 23 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 April 1855 in the Crimea Private Humpston and Private Joseph Bradshaw, on their own, attacked and captured a Russian rifle pit situated among the rocks overhanging the Woronzoff Road. The pit was occupied every night by the Russians and its capture and subsequent destruction was of great importance.[1]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum at Winchester in England.

Following his death in 1884 Robert Humpston was buried in a pauper's grave. In September 2007, following a two-year campaign to raise £1,200 to get a headstone for Pte Humpston, his grave was dedicated in a ceremony at Nottingham Cemetery.[2]

References
  1. "No. 21971". The London Gazette. 24 February 1857. p. 662.
  2. Crimean soldier's grave dedicated, BBC News


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.