FAMOUS V.C.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 193, 4 January 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

FAMOUS V.C.

FEAR. OF THE SIGHT OK BLOOD. Colonel Henry Gore-Browne, the V.C. man who went through all the. scenes of slaughter during the Indian Mutiny, won the Victoria Cross in the defence of Lucknow. and vet swooned at the sight of blood from a cut linger, died suddenly at his home at Slianki'iii. Isle of Wight, aged S:S. lie was an uncle of Colonel Seely. the secretary for War. lie was one mf the defenders in tile siege of Lucknow by the mutineers, and wa- shut up in the Residency from June 30, LS.">7. to August 21. It was in August that, ho performed the deed of vnlor for which he received the Victoria L'ros?. He led a sortie in order to spike two guns that were laying the defences of Lucknow in ruins. I'lacing himself at the head of his moii, Captain GoreBrowne, as he t-lten was. sprang first and alone into the rebel battery. lie shot the sentry dead with his revolver. Over one hundred ( ,f the enemy were islain by the captain and a. few of bis men. The gnus were successfully put out of action and Captain G ore-Browne brought his moil safely back to tin; Residency. Yet liis own words -prove that his Heroism was not the simple daring of a reckless man, but a triumph of will oxer a nature inherently sensitive. In. an interview in 'he said: "M.v fear of blood is a lact I am wholly unable to explain. Notwithstanding all the terrible slaughter during the Mutiny I live in fear of the sight of blood, '. . . Though I shot many 'I rebel in the defence of Lucknow. ami was several time* smothered with the blood of men killed beside me. yet I am too faint-hearted to see an animal led in the slaughter. On one occasion 1 was \vork v \g a gun when a bullet went; right through, the bead of the man on the opposite side of the •i; •!. On another occasion I was ,:o'iiinandi:ig a position when a bullet came through a loophole and struck the mail de. -me right iu the neck. '.lis biood guslud all over me. Yet I '.x.is quite cairn and undisturbed in the discharge of my i duty."