Duncan Home

Photo submitted by Gerald Napier - (from the Royal Engineers Library with permission)

Duncan Charles Home VC (10 June 1828-1 October 1857) 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 29 years old, and a lieutenant in the Bengal Engineers, Indian Army during the Indian rebellion of 1857 when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 14 September 1857 during the Siege of Delhi, India, Lieutenant Home, with another lieutenant (Philip Salkeld), a sergeant (John Smith) and a bugler (Robert Hawthorne) showed conspicuous gallantry in the desperate task of blowing in the Kashmir Gate in broad daylight under heavy and destructive musket fire, preparatory to the assault.

He was killed in action, Malagarh, India, on 1 October 1857.

The medal

The medal was lost in 1920 when children of the then owner played "Soldiers" in a field near the house. Despite many searches it has not been found.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)

See also

• List of Channel Islands Victoria Cross recipients

External links

• Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs