Samuel James Browne
Captain, 46th Bengal Native Infantry
- Register No.
- 137 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- 46th Bengal Native Infantry all 46th Bengal Native Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 August 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 1st March 1861 on this day → all of 1861 →
- Born
- 3rd October 1824 in India
- Died
- 14th March 1901 at Ryde, Isle of Wight Paul stopped
- Memorial / grave
- Ryde Cemetery, Isle of Wight; The Crypt St Paul's Cathedral and a Lahore Cathedral, India
- Medal held by
- the National Army Museum
Digest of citation
On 31st August 1858 at Seerporah, India, in an engagement with the rebels, Captain Browne, whilst advancing upon the enemy's position, pushed on it with one orderly sower upon a nine-pounder gun and attacked the Gunners, preventing them from reloading and attacking the infantry who were advancing to the attack. In a conflict which ensued Captain Browne received two sword cuts, one on the left knee and one which severed his left arm at the shoulder, but not before he had cut down on one of his assailants. The gun was eventually captured and the gunner killed
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
BROWNE, Samuel James. (reg No. 137).
Captain 46th Bengal Native Infantry.
London Gazetted on 1st March 1861.
VC Medal's Custodian is the National Army Museum.
Born on 3rd October 1824 in India.
Died on 14th March 1901 at Ryde, Isle of Wight Paul stopped Memorial at Ryde Cemetery, Isle of Wight; The Crypt St Paul's Cathedral and a Lahore Cathedral, India.
Digest of Citation reads: On 31st August 1858 at Seerporah, India, in an engagement with the rebels, Captain Browne, whilst advancing upon the enemy's position, pushed on it with one orderly sower upon a nine-pounder gun and attacked the Gunners, preventing them from reloading and attacking the infantry who were advancing to the attack. In a conflict which ensued Captain Browne received two sword cuts, one on the left knee and one which severed his left arm at the shoulder, but not before he had cut down on one of his assailants. The gun was eventually captured and the gunner killed.
Additional information: General Browne (later Sir Samuel) was a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath (G C B) also a Knight Commander of the Star of India. (K C S I) He was deemed to be the inventor of the Sam Browne belt.
Additional information
General Browne (later Sir Samuel) was a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath (G C B) also a Knight Commander of the Star of India. (K C S I) He was deemed to be the inventor of the Sam Browne belt.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Ryde Cemetery, Isle of Wight; The Crypt St Paul's Cathedral and a Lahore Cathedral, India
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 Samuel James Browne by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.