William John Vousden
Captain, 5th Punjab Cavalry
- Register No.
- 1254 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- 5th Punjab Cavalry all 5th Punjab Cavalry VCs →
- Date of action
- 14 December 1879 on this day → all of 1879 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Afghan War
- London Gazette
- 18th October 1881 on this day → all of 1881 →
- Born
- 20th September 1845 at Perth, Scotland
- Memorial / grave
- at Lahore, India* Also on the family grave at Rye Cemetery, Sussex
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On 14th December 1879, during the Afghan war, on the Asmai Heights, Captain Vousden led a charge with a small body of men into the heart of the retreating Kohistanis who were far superior in number. The Kohistanis did their best to close in on the small band,but were prevented from this as Captain Vousden led the men in several charges. Backwards and forwards, they charged, through the centre of the enemy, before finally making their way around the opposite side of the village where they rejoined their own forces
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
VOUSDEN, William John. (reg No. 1254).
Captain. 5th Punjab Cavalry. * London Gazetted on 18th October 1881.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 20th September 1845 at Perth, Scotland.
Died of dysentery on 12th November 1919 at Lahore, India.* Memorial on grave at Lahore, India* Also on the family grave at Rye Cemetery, Sussex.
Digest of Citation reads: On 14th December 1879, during the Afghan war, on the Asmai Heights, Captain Vousden led a charge with a small body of men into the heart of the retreating Kohistanis who were far superior in number. The Kohistanis did their best to close in on the small band,but were prevented from this as Captain Vousden led the men in several charges. Backwards and forwards, they charged, through the centre of the enemy, before finally making their way around the opposite side of the village where they rejoined their own forces.
* Later admitted to Bengal Staff Corps.
* Lahore now part of Pakistan.
Additional information:. Major General Vousden was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath. (CB). He was the son of Captain Thomas Vousden of the 51st Fusiliers. He was educated at Woolwich (Dr Hill's) and King's School Canterbury. He began his military career in 1864. Being commissioned in October 1867 and then joining the 5th Punjab Cavalry. He was admitted to the Bengal Staff Corps and promoted to Captain in 1876. He served in the Afridi campaigns and also the Afghan wars. He was with the Khort Valley expedition seeing action on 7th January 1879 at Matun. taking part in the advance under Sir Frederick Roberts seeing action at Karatigi (27th September, 1879), Charasiah (6th October 1879) and Kabul (8th October 1879). It was during the enemy's retreat from here that he won his Victoria Cross on 14th December, 1879. The inscription on his grave at Lahore states: To the glory of God and in memory of General William John Vousden VC., CB., late Commandant, 5th Punjab Cavalry, whose brave and honest life in the service of his sovereign and country closed at Lahore on 12th November 1902. There is also a plaque in St Augustine's Church at Kohat erected by his fellow officers which reads: Sacred to the memory of Brigadier General William John Vousden VC., CB. Late Commandant 5th Punjab Cavalry. He served 30 years in the Regiment. Commanded the Kohat Kurram Force, in command of the Punjab Frontier Force and as Inspector General of Cavalry in India. Died at Lahore November 12th, 1902 deeply regretted by all who knew him. This tablet is erected by his brother officers of the 5th Punjab Cavalry as a token of their affection and esteem.
Additional information
Major General Vousden was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath. (CB). He was the son of Captain Thomas Vousden of the 51st Fusiliers. He was educated at Woolwich (Dr Hill's) and King's School Canterbury. He began his military career in 1864. Being commissioned in October 1867 and then joining the 5th Punjab Cavalry. He was admitted to the Bengal Staff Corps and promoted to Captain in 1876. He served in the Afridi campaigns and also the Afghan wars. He was with the Khort Valley expedition seeing action on 7th January 1879 at Matun. taking part in the advance under Sir Frederick Roberts seeing action at Karatigi (27th September, 1879), Charasiah (6th October 1879) and Kabul (8th October 1879). It was during the enemy's retreat from here that he won his Victoria Cross on 14th December, 1879. The inscription on his grave at Lahore states: To the glory of God and in memory of General William John Vousden VC., CB., late Commandant, 5th Punjab Cavalry, whose brave and honest life in the service of his sovereign and country closed at Lahore on 12th November 1902. There is also a plaque in St Augustine's Church at Kohat erected by his fellow officers which reads: Sacred to the memory of Brigadier General William John Vousden VC., CB. Late Commandant 5th Punjab Cavalry. He served 30 years in the Regiment. Commanded the Kohat Kurram Force, in command of the Punjab Frontier Force and as Inspector General of Cavalry in India. Died at Lahore November 12th, 1902 deeply regretted by all who knew him. This tablet is erected by his brother officers of the 5th Punjab Cavalry as a token of their affection and esteem.
* Later admitted to Bengal Staff Corps.
* Lahore now part of Pakistan.
Died of dysentery on 12th November 1919 at Lahore, India.*
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Lahore, India* Also on the family grave at Rye Cemetery, Sussex
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