George Hollis (VC)

This article is about the English soldier. For the English bishop, see George Hollis (bishop). For the English football goalkeeper, see George Hollis (footballer).

George Hollis
Buried	Exwick Cemetery, Exeter
Allegiance	Vereinigtes Königreich
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Farrier
Unit	8th Hussars
Battles/wars	Indian Mutiny
Awards	Victoria Cross

George Hollis VC (October 1833 - 16 May 1879) 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 24 years old, and a Farrier in the 8th Hussars (The King's Royal Irish), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 17 June 1858 at Gwalior, India for which he was awarded the VC: Farrier Hollis - together with a captain (Clement Walker Heneage), a sergeant (Joseph Ward) and a private (John Pearson) was in a charge made by a squadron of the 8th Hussars. His citation reads:

8th Hussars. No. 1298. Farrier George Hollis

Selected for the Victoria Cross by their companions in the gallant charge made by a squadron of the Regiment at Gwalior, on the 17th of June, 1858, when, supported by a division of the Bombay Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's 95th Regiment, they routed the enemy, who were advancing against Brigadier Smith's position, charged through the rebel camp into two batteries, capturing and bringing into their camp two of the enemy's guns, under a heavy and converging fire from the Fort and Towa.

(Field Force Orders by Major-General Sir Hugh Henry Rose, G.C.B., Commanding Central India Field Force, dated Camp, Gwalior, 28th June, 1858.)

References

• Location of grave and VC medal (Devonshire)