George Hollis (VC)

He charged through a rebel camp and helped capture two guns.

George Hollis was born at Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, in October 1833. He enlisted in the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars in November 1855 and became a farrier, combining cavalry soldiering with the care and shoeing of the regiment's horses. The regiment subsequently went to India during the rebellion of 1857–1858.

On 17 June 1858, at Gwalior, a squadron of the 8th Hussars charged an enemy force advancing against Brigadier Smith's position. Supported by horse artillery and infantry, the cavalry rode through the rebel camp and into two batteries. Under converging fire from the fort and surrounding positions, they captured two guns and brought them back into British lines.

Hollis was one of four men selected by their comrades for the Victoria Cross following the charge. The others were Captain Clement Heneage, Sergeant Joseph Ward and Private John Pearson. His award therefore recognized both the squadron's collective action and the individual judgment of the men who had taken part.

Queen Victoria presented his medal at Windsor Castle in November 1860. After leaving the Army, Hollis settled in Exeter and worked for the wine merchants Sanders and Snow. He lived in Cowick Street with his family. He died on 16 May 1879 and was buried in Exwick Cemetery, Exeter.