THOMPSON, James - Lucknow or Delhi?

[anthony]

Most references including this website say Lucknow, India. The 1/60th was part of the Seige of Delhi. The published citation is not helpful since it ends with "He was also commended for conspicuous gallantry throughout the siege". It names neither Lucknow nor Delhi.

Private. 1st Battalion 60th Rifles.
At Lucknow, India, on 9th July, 1857, Private Thompson saved the life of his Officer, Captain Wilton, by dashing forward to his relief when the Captain was surrounded by a party of Ghazees, who rushed at him suddenly, from a serai. The Private Thompson killed two of the enemy before further assistance arrived. He was also commended for conspicuous gallantry throughout the siege.

[anthony]

Private James Thompson was seriously wounded in the assault on Delhi on 14 September 1857. He was one of five members of the 1/60th elected by the regiment to receive the Victoria Cross for the Siege of Delhi. His published citation states he was also commended for conspicuous gallantry throughout the siege which is more in keeping with Delhi than Lucknow since the 1/60th was part of the Siege of Delhi for the entire period of the siege. We can confidently conclude that Private James Thompson was at Delhi and never at Lucknow.

[Les]

Hi Anthony. Can I ask what source provisided this info please? I'm not doubting you, just be my luck to change it on the main site only to find someone else saying that's wrong.

[anthony]

Phillip A Wilkins. The history of the Victoria Cross, 1904, p.83 states Delhi.

“VCs were bestowed by ballot on the 60th Foot for their part in the Siege of Delhi”. Thompson listed as one of the five. Crook, M.J. The Evolution of the Victoria Cross, Midas Books, 1975, ISBN 0 85936 041 5, p. 101.

Severely wounded at Delhi, 14 September 1857 and invalided to England 5 April 1858 - "Indian Mutiny Medal Roll 1857-1859 (British Forces)" Compiled by K.J. Asplin 1998. (Thompson's left arm was amputated.)

Thompson was awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal (1857-58) with one clasp "Delhi". Confirmed by Iain Stewart and others.

Citation mentions neither Delhi or Lucknow but ends with “recommended for conspicuous conduct throughout the siege”. The first mention of Lucknow seems to be Smyth in 1963 who seems to have guessed wrong. Since then it seems to have been copied without question.

[Les]

Thanks Anthony. As soon as you said Kev Asplin and Iain Stewart, I knew you'd got it from reliable sources. Nice one! I'll update Thompson's entry shortly.

[Les]

Thinking about it, given the citation states Lucknow but not Delhi, I'm wondering if this VC is a multiple act.... first action in Lucknow which was recorded and then Delhi where he was gallant for a second time..... but as Lucknow was initially recorded for bravery, that stuck, especially as he was Gazetted until January 1860 - 2 & half years later - when reports could have been mis-reported.

[anthony]

Les

The Victoria Cross citation for Private James Thompson, 1st Battalion, 60th Rifles as published in the London Gazette on 20 January 1860 reads “For gallant conduct in saving the life of his captain (Captain Wilton), on the 9th of July, 1857, by dashing forward to his relief, when that officer was surrounded by a party of Ghazees, who made a sudden rush on him, from a serai – and killing two of them before further assistance could reach. Also recommended for conspicuous conduct throughout the siege. Elected by Privates of the Regiment."

The citation does not mention or imply Lucknow. The 1/60th was at Delhi throughout the Siege of Delhi and the last line of the Thompson citation can only refer to Delhi since Lucknow was under seige until November. Since we know Thompson was at Delhi and was badly wounded losing his left arm at Delhi on 14 September he could not have ever been at Lucknow. Furthermore he only received the Delhi clasp and did not receive any of the three Lucknow clasps and "British battles and medals' lists the 1/60th as only being at Delhi. The London Gazette on 20 January 1860 lists seven VCs for the 1/60th with five elected awards including Thompson. All seven awards are for Delhi.

Anthony

[Les]

Can't get any more clearer than that!!! Thanks again.

[anthony]

Les

Some additional information from Sir Christopher Wallace and Ron Cassidy in “Focus on Courage; The 59 Victoria Crosses of the Royal Green Jackets”.

The action on 9 July 1857 took place at Hindoo Rao's House, a key point on the ridge overlooking Delhi where a number of guns were situated. Thompson was a member of Captain E R Wilton’s company of the 1st/60th at Delhi. The day was wet and Captain Wilton’s pistol misfired. His life was saved when Private James Thompson rushed forward and bayoneted two of the assailants. The Regimental History wrongly identified the officer as Captain Wilmot and the absence of a place name in the citation led some to think that Thompson's action may have taken place in an action under Wilmot's command and not at Delhi under Captain Wilton. Sir Christopher Wallace and Ron Cassidy in “Focus on Courage; The 59 Victoria Crosses of the Royal Green Jackets” writes that it “seems far-fetched as the reference in the citation to 9 July 1857 ... and to the ballot, make it clear that the action relates to the 1st/60th at Delhi and that the author of the Regimental History was mistaken”.