Hugh Henry Gough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Hugh Henry Gough
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| Born | 14 November 1833 Calcutta, British India |
| Died | 12 May 1909 (aged 75) St Thomas Tower, Tower of London |
| Buried |
Kensal Green Cemetery
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Bengal Army British Indian Army |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Indian Mutiny Abyssinian War Second Anglo-Afghan War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
| Relations | Sir Charles Gough (brother) Sir Hubert Gough (nephew) Sir John Gough (nephew) |
| Other work | Keeper of the Jewel House |
General Sir Hugh Henry Gough (born November 14, 1833 – died May 12, 1909) was a brave officer in the British Indian Army. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage given to British and Commonwealth soldiers. This award is for showing extreme bravery when facing the enemy.
Contents
Early Life and Army Start
Hugh Henry Gough was born in Calcutta, India, on November 14, 1833. His family was well-known in the Anglo-Irish community. When he was 19, in September 1853, he became a junior officer, called an ensign. He joined the 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry. He was still serving with the British Indian Army when the First Indian war of independence began in 1857.
Victoria Cross: A Story of Bravery
Gough was 23 years old and a lieutenant when he earned the Victoria Cross. This happened during the First War of Indian Independence. He showed incredible bravery in two separate events.
First Act of Courage: November 12, 1857
On November 12, 1857, Lieutenant Gough was leading a group of soldiers near Alambagh. He bravely charged across a swamp. He captured two enemy guns, even though many more enemy soldiers were defending them. During this fight, his horse was wounded twice. His turban was also cut by swords as he fought three enemy soldiers called Sepoys.
Second Act of Courage: February 25, 1858
On February 25, 1858, near Jellalabad, Lucknow, Lieutenant Gough again showed amazing courage. He led his regiment to charge the enemy's guns. His brave actions helped his soldiers succeed in their mission. He fought in many one-on-one battles. Eventually, he was shot in the leg by a musket ball. This happened while he was charging two Sepoys who had bayonets fixed to their rifles. On this day, two of his horses were killed under him. He also had a shot go through his helmet and another through his sword holder.
Later Military Career
After these brave acts, Gough continued his military career. In 1868, he led the 12th Bengal Cavalry in the Abyssinian War. For his service, he received an important award called the Companion of the Order of the Bath.
He also served under General Frederick Roberts during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. He fought in key battles like Peiwar Kotal in December 1878 and Charasia in October 1879. He also commanded the cavalry during Roberts' famous march from Kabul to Kandahar in August 1880. He was also part of the Battle of Kandahar on September 1, 1880. In 1881, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.
Gough held many important military jobs in India. He became a general in 1894. In 1896, he received an even higher honor, becoming a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. He retired from the army a year later. After retiring, he became the Keeper of the Jewel House at the Tower of London. He held this job until he passed away on May 12, 1909. He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery.
Family Life
General Gough was the third son of Judge George Gough. He had a brother, General Sir Charles Gough. He was also the uncle of two famous commanders from the First World War: General Sir Hubert Gough and Brigadier General Sir John Gough. His great-uncle was Field Marshal The 1st Viscount Gough.
Hugh Gough married Anne Margaret Hill on September 8, 1863. They had five sons and four daughters. One of their daughters, Charlotte Elise Gough, married Lieutenant General Sir Henry Wilson.
Works
- Old Memories. Cornell University Library (1 January 1897) ISBN: 978-1-4297-4127-9
