George Forrest (VC)

He helped destroy the magazine before rebels could seize it.

George Forrest was born in Dublin in 1800 and made his career in the East India Company's military establishment. By 1857 he was a lieutenant in the Bengal Veteran Establishment, employed at the Delhi magazine, a major store of arms and ammunition within the city.

On 11 May 1857, as rebellion spread through Delhi, Forrest was one of nine men who attempted to defend the magazine under Lieutenant George Willoughby. The small party closed the gates and used the available guns to resist the attackers. With the defences about to be overwhelmed, they deliberately destroyed the magazine to prevent its military supplies falling intact into rebel hands. The explosion killed several defenders. Forrest was among the survivors, along with William Raynor and George Buckley.

The Victoria Crosses awarded to the three surviving defenders were announced in June 1858. Forrest received his medal at Landour in November that year. He subsequently held the rank of captain. He died at Dehra Dun on 3 November 1859 and was buried there.

His Victoria Cross later passed through several collections and was sold at auction in 2020. The decoration records his part in a collective defence in which the decision to destroy the stores came only after the small garrison could no longer hold them.

Victoria Cross citation: For gallant conduct in the defence of the Delhi Magazine, on the 11th May, 1857.

The London Gazette of 18 June 1858, Numb. 22154, p. 2959