Everard Aloysius Lisle Phillipps

He fought through the siege and fell in the streets of Delhi

Everard Aloysius Lisle Phillipps was born in 1835 into the de Lisle family of Leicestershire. Educated in England, he entered the East India Company's service and joined the 11th Bengal Native Infantry. When that regiment mutinied at Meerut in May 1857, he subsequently served with British units and became attached to the 60th Rifles.

He distinguished himself repeatedly during the advance to Delhi and its siege. His recognised actions extended from the fighting at the Hindan River to the final assault on the city. Wounded on three occasions, he continued to serve. He was killed in Delhi on 17 September 1857, aged twenty-two.

The original official notice stated that his conduct would have merited a Victoria Cross had he survived. After the policy governing posthumous recognition changed, the medal was formally awarded in January 1907 and presented to his family. His Indian Mutiny Medal carried the Delhi clasp. His brief service ended in the action for which he would eventually receive the highest British gallantry decoration.

Official Victoria Cross citation

Ensign Everard Aloysius Lisle Phillipps, of the 11th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, would have been recommended to Her Majesty for the decoration of the Victoria Cross, had he survived; for many gallant deeds which he performed during the Siege of Delhi, during which he was wounded three times. At the assault of that city, he captured the Water Bastion, with a small party of men; and was finally killed in the streets of Delhi on the 18th of September.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the Decoration of the Victoria Cross being delivered to the representatives of the undermentioned Officers and men who fell in the performance of acts of valour, and with reference to whom it was notified in the London Gazette that they would have been recommended to Her late Majesty for the Victoria Cross had they survived:–London Gazette, 21st October, 1859.

The London Gazette of 21 October 1859, Numb. 22318, p. 3793