Henry Lysons

Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion. The Cameronians

VC
Register No.
762 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
Unit
2nd Battalion. The Cameronians (register: 26th Regiment of Foot) all 26th Regiment of Foot VCs →
Date of action
28 March 1879 on this day → all of 1879 →
Conflict / campaign
Zulu War (Anglo-Zulu War)
London Gazette
5th April 1882 on this day → all of 1882 →
Born
30th July 1858 at Morden, Surrey
Died
the 24th July, 1907 at London
Memorial / grave
in St Peter's Churchyard, Rodmarton, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Digest of citation

On 28th March 1879 during the Zulu War in South Africa, Lieutenant Lysons, during the assault on the Inhlobane Mountain: Sir Evelyn Wood ordered that some Zulus be dislodged from a position, in some natural caves , where they were causing large losses. A delay occurred in the carrying out of this order so Captain Ronald Campbell of the Coldstream Guards, along with Lieutenant Lysons and Private Fowler ran forward with determination, advanced over a mass of fallen boulders, through walls of rock which lead to a cave where the Zulus lay hidden. As it was impossible for two men to walk side-by-side, they had to advance in single file with Captain Campbell leading. He was killed at the mouth of the cave. Lieutenant Lysons and Private Fowler dashed into the cave, which had subterranean passages leading off, and fired into the chasm below, succeeding in driving the enemy from the stronghold

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

LYSONS, Henry. (reg No. 762).

Lieutenant. 2nd Battalion. The Cameronians *.

London Gazetted on 5th April 1882.

Born on 30th July 1858 at Morden, Surrey.

Died on the 24th July, 1907 at London.

Memorial on grave in St Peter's Churchyard, Rodmarton, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

Digest of Citation reads: On 28th March 1879 during the Zulu War in South Africa, Lieutenant Lysons, during the assault on the Inhlobane Mountain: Sir Evelyn Wood ordered that some Zulus be dislodged from a position, in some natural caves , where they were causing large losses. A delay occurred in the carrying out of this order so Captain Ronald Campbell of the Coldstream Guards, along with Lieutenant Lysons and Private Fowler ran forward with determination, advanced over a mass of fallen boulders, through walls of rock which lead to a cave where the Zulus lay hidden. As it was impossible for two men to walk side-by-side, they had to advance in single file with Captain Campbell leading. He was killed at the mouth of the cave. Lieutenant Lysons and Private Fowler dashed into the cave, which had subterranean passages leading off, and fired into the chasm below, succeeding in driving the enemy from the stronghold.

* Scottish Rifles.

Additional information:. Colonel LYONS was also a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He was a Colonel of the 1st Bedfordshire Regiment. He was the son of Sir Daniel Lysons, who fought in the Crimea. Henry Lysons were educated at Wellington College. He joined the 19th Light Infantry in 1878, was ADC to Sir Evelyn Wood VC in the Zulu War. He fought at Zungen Nek and the Inhlobane Mountains and took part in the Battles of Kambula and Ulundi He married Vanda, the daughter of C.E. Trffry of Place, Cornwall. From 1884-85 he served in the Sudan with the Egyptian Army, getting the Medal, clasp and Bronze Star.

Additional information

Colonel LYONS was also a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He was a Colonel of the 1st Bedfordshire Regiment. He was the son of Sir Daniel Lysons, who fought in the Crimea. Henry Lysons were educated at Wellington College. He joined the 19th Light Infantry in 1878, was ADC to Sir Evelyn Wood VC in the Zulu War. He fought at Zungen Nek and the Inhlobane Mountains and took part in the Battles of Kambula and Ulundi He married Vanda, the daughter of C.E. Trffry of Place, Cornwall. From 1884-85 he served in the Sudan with the Egyptian Army, getting the Medal, clasp and Bronze Star.

* Scottish Rifles.

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: in St Peter's Churchyard, Rodmarton, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.

Research this recipient further

Would you like to honour Henry Lysons by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.