Henry Tombs

Major-General Sir Henry Tombs VC KCB (10 November 1824 – 2 August 1874) was a British Army officer and a 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.

Early life Henry Tombs was born at sea on passage to India on 10 November 1824. He was the youngest of seven to Major-General John Tombs, Bengal cavalry, and Mary Remington.

During the First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–1846) Tombs commanded a horse artillery troop at the battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah, and was Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Smith at the battle of Aliwal.

Victoria Cross At the age of thirty-one, when a major in the Bengal Horse Artillery, Bengal Army during the Indian Mutiny, the following deed took place at the Siege of Delhi for which he and James Hills were awarded the VC:

Later career For services at the siege of Delhi, Tombs was promoted brevet lieutenant-colonel and made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in January 1858. In March 1858 he took part in the siege and capture of Lucknow before participating in a number of minor operations. He was promoted brevet colonel in July 1858, and lieutenant-colonel, Royal Artillery, in April 1861. and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in March 1868, Tombs was appointed to command a division in 1871, first at Allahabad, then at Oudh. In 1874 he resigned his command due to ill health and died at Newport, Isle of Wight, on 2 August 1874, aged 49.

At news of Tombs's death, the Commander-in-Chief, India, Lord Napier issued a general order expressing regret at the loss of "so distinguished an officer".