John Augustus Wood

John Augustus Wood VC (June 10, 1818-January 23, 1878) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 38 years old, and a captain in the 20th Bombay Native Infantry, British Indian Army during the Persian War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 9 December 1856 at Bushire, Persia, Captain Wood led a Grenadier Company which formed the head of the assaulting column and was the first man on the parapet of the fort, where he was immediately attacked by a large number of the garrison. A volley was fired at Captain Wood and the head of the storming party at very close range but although the captain was hit by seven musket balls he at once threw himself upon the enemy, killing their leader. He was closely followed by the men of his company and speedily overcame all opposition.

His was the first Victoria Cross to be won in a British Indian Army regiment and the standard captured that day is still preserved by the battalion. [Mackenzie (1951), p. 131]

Further information

He later achieved the rank of colonel.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
*cite book | first=Compton|last=Mackenzie |authorlink=Compton Mackenzie| title=Eastern Epic| publisher=Chatto & Windus, London | year=1951 | pages=623 pages

ee also

* List of Persian War Victoria Cross recipients
* List of Scottish Victoria Cross recipients

Footnotes