James Travers
Colonel, 2nd Bengal Native Infantry
- Register No.
- 1226 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Colonel all Colonels →
- Unit
- 2nd Bengal Native Infantry all 2nd Bengal Native Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- July 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 1st March 1861 on this day → all of 1861 →
- Born
- 6th October 1820 at Cork, Ireland
- Died
- 1st April 1884 at Verbania- Pallanza, Italy
- Memorial / grave
- Buried in an unmarked grave at Municipal Ossuary, Pallanza, Italy
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
When the Presidency at Indore, India, during the Indian mutiny in July 1857, was surprisingly attacked by the Holkar's troops, Colonel Travers with only five men in support charged the guns, driving the Gunners away, and thereby causing a timely diversion, undoubtedly saving the lives of many persons. Officers who were present at the time considered that as a result of the charge, it enabled many Europeans to escape from actual slaughter and gained valuable time allowing the Bhopal Infantry to man their guns. Colonel Travers' horse had been wounded in three places as well as his accoutrements being shot through
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
TRAVERS, James. (reg No. 1226).
Colonel. 2nd Bengal Native Infantry.
London Gazetted on 1st March 1861.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 6th October 1820 at Cork, Ireland.
Died on 1st April 1884 at Verbania- Pallanza, Italy.
Buried in an unmarked grave at Municipal Ossuary, Pallanza, Italy.
Digest of Citation reads: When the Presidency at Indore, India, during the Indian mutiny in July 1857, was surprisingly attacked by the Holkar's troops, Colonel Travers with only five men in support charged the guns, driving the Gunners away, and thereby causing a timely diversion, undoubtedly saving the lives of many persons. Officers who were present at the time considered that as a result of the charge, it enabled many Europeans to escape from actual slaughter and gained valuable time allowing the Bhopal Infantry to man their guns. Colonel Travers' horse had been wounded in three places as well as his accoutrements being shot through.
Additional information: General Travers was the son of Major General Sir Robert Travers. He was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). He saw service in Afghanistan, 1840-42 and action at Zamindanar, Ghuzni and Mydan. He further served at Bhopal and Kulla Karee and in 1856 received the thanks of the Governor-General for his services against the rebel Sunker Singh.
Additional information
General Travers was the son of Major General Sir Robert Travers. He was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). He saw service in Afghanistan, 1840-42 and action at Zamindanar, Ghuzni and Mydan. He further served at Bhopal and Kulla Karee and in 1856 received the thanks of the Governor-General for his services against the rebel Sunker Singh.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Buried in an unmarked grave at Municipal Ossuary, Pallanza, Italy
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