George Sellar

Rushed ahead of his men to attack enemy defenders near Kabul

George Sellar was born at Keith, Banffshire, in December 1850, the son of a farm labourer. He enlisted in the 72nd Highlanders on 9 February 1869 and re-engaged in March 1877. His service took him to Afghanistan, where his regiment participated in the operations that culminated in the defence of Kabul and the march to Kandahar.

On 14 December 1879, during the fighting at the Asmai Heights outside Kabul, Sellar went ahead of the attacking troops and engaged the defenders at close quarters. He was severely wounded during the assault. His determination in pressing forward under fire brought the Victoria Cross. He was serving as a lance corporal at the time of the action.

The regiment remained on active service during the Afghan campaign. Sellar's Afghanistan Medal records Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul and Kandahar, while the Kabul to Kandahar Star marks participation in the famous march. His decoration was presented at Lucknow on 14 December 1881 by Lieutenant General Charles Cureton.

The 72nd became the 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, during the reorganization of the infantry. Sellar continued with the regiment and served in Egypt in 1882, qualifying for the Egypt Medal with Tel-el-Kebir clasp and the Khedive's Star. Promotion brought him to the rank of sergeant.

He married Minnie Powell in 1885. In 1887 he became a sergeant instructor with the Lairg company of the Sutherland and Caithness Rifle Volunteers, transferring his experience from regular campaigning to the training of volunteer soldiers in the Highlands. He died at Lairg on 1 November 1889, aged thirty-eight, while still serving. His military life had included two major overseas campaigns and a final appointment close to his native region.

Victoria Cross citation: For conspicuous gallantry displayed by him at the assault on the Asmai Heights, round Kabul, on the 14th December, 1879, in having in a marked manner led the attack, under a heavy fire, and, dashing on in front of the party up the slope, engaged in a desperate conflict with an Afghan who sprang out to meet him. In this encounter Lance-Corporal Sellar was severely wounded.

The London Gazette of 18 October 1881, Numb. 25027, p. 5140)