Role Armed force officer | Name Hugh Gough Allegiance United Kingdom | |
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Battles/wars Second Anglo-Afghan WarIndian MutinyAbyssinian War Relations Charles John Stanley Gough (brother)Charlotte Elise Gough, Lady Wilson (daughter)Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough (grandfather)Hubert Gough (nephew)John Edmund Gough (nephew) Other work Keeper of the Jewel House Similar People Richard of Shrewsbury - Duke of Y, Edward V of England, Henry VI of England, Thomas Overbury, Chidiock Tichborne | ||
General Sir Hugh Henry Gough (; 14 November 1833 – 12 May 1909) was a senior British Indian Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Early life
Gough was born into an Anglo-Irish aristocratic family in Calcutta, Bengal, India, on 14 November 1833.
Details
Gough was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1st Bengal European Light Cavalry (later 19th Hussars) during the Indian Mutiny, when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC:
1st Bengal European Light Cavalry, Lieutenant Hugh Henry Gough
Date of Acts of Bravery, 12th November, 1857, and 25th February, 1858
Lieutenant Gough, when in command of a party of Hodson's Horse, near Alumbagh, on the 12th of November, 1857, particularly distinguished himself by his forward bearing in charging across a swamp, and capturing two guns, although defended by a vastly superior body of the enemy. On this occasion he had his horse wounded in two places, and his turban cut through by sword cuts, whilst engaged in combat with three Sepoys.
Lieutenant Gough also particularly distinguished himself, near Jellalabad, Lucknow, on 25 February 1858, by showing a brilliant example to his Regiment, when ordered to charge the enemy's guns, and by his gallant and forward conduct, he enabled them to effect their object. On this occasion he engaged himself in a series of single combats, until at length he was disabled by a musketball through the leg, while charging two Sepoys with fixed bayonets. Lieutenant Gough on this day had two horses killed under him, a shot through his helmet, and another through his scabbard, besides being severely wounded.
Later career
Gough achieved the rank of general. He was appointed Keeper of the Jewel House at the Tower of London and Lieutenant-Governor of the Channel Islands.
Family
General Gough was the son of Judge George Gough and Charlotte Margaret Becher. He was brother to General Sir Charles Gough, and uncle of the senior First World War commanders General Sir Hubert Gough and Brigadier General Sir John Gough. He was the grandnephew of Field Marshal The 1st Viscount Gough. His daughter, Charlotte Elise Gough (died 17 August 1942), married Lieutenant General Sir Henry Wilson, by whom she had three children: