Henry Lysons


Colonel Henry Lysons VC CB was a British 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

Lysons was 20 years old, and a lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, 90th Regiment of Foot, British Army during the Anglo-Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 28 March 1879 at the Hlobane Mountain, South Africa, Lieutenant Lysons, with a captain and a private dashed forward in advance of the party which had been ordered to dislodge the enemy from a commanding position in natural caves up the mountain. The path was so narrow that they had to advance in single file and the captain who arrived first at the mouth of the cave was instantly killed. Lieutenant Lysons and the private, undeterred by the death of their leader, immediately sprang forward and cleared the enemy out of their stronghold.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of colonel. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Cameronians Regimental Museum, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland