George Rodgers (VC)

Attacked seven armed opponents during the action at Gwalior.

George Rodgers was born in Glasgow in 1829. He served with the 71st Highland Light Infantry, taking part in the Crimean War and later the suppression of the Indian rebellion. His Crimea Medal records service at Sebastopol, while his Indian Mutiny Medal carries the Central India clasp.

On 16 June 1858, during fighting at Marar near Gwalior, Rodgers moved against a group of seven armed opponents on his own. The published Victoria Cross citation states that he killed one with his bayonet. His decision to attack the group unaided was the specific act recognised by the award. He was a private at the time.

The Victoria Cross was announced on 11 November 1859 and presented to him at Gwalior on 11 April 1860. His subsequent Army service included the Umbeyla campaign on the Indian frontier in 1863, commemorated by a clasp to the India General Service Medal. He left the Army in 1865 and returned to Glasgow.

Rodgers died there on 9 March 1870 after accidentally drinking a poisonous liquid. He was buried in the Southern Necropolis. His medals, including the Turkish Crimea Medal as well as the British campaign awards, are preserved by the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum in Glasgow.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For daring conduct at Marar, Gwalior, on the 16th of June, 1858, in attacking by himself a party of seven Rebels, one of whom he killed. This was remarked as a valuable service, the party of Rebels being well armed and strongly posted in the line of advance of a detachment of the 71st Regiment.

The London Gazette of 11 November 1859, Numb. 22324, p. 4033