Guy Boisragon

He braved heavy fire to reinforce the assault upon Nilt Fort

Guy Hudleston Boisragon was born at Kohat in November 1864 into a military family. Educated at Charterhouse and Sandhurst, he joined the British Army in 1885 and transferred to the 5th Gurkha Rifles in 1886. His early service included the Hazara and Miranzai expeditions on India's northwest frontier.

During the Hunza-Nagar operations in December 1891, Lieutenant Boisragon led Gurkhas in the assault on Nilt Fort. The position was protected by steep ground, substantial walls and obstacles at its entrance. After sappers breached the gate, he forced his way towards the interior with the storming party.

With the attackers hard pressed, Boisragon went back through the fire to bring up reinforcements. He repeatedly moved between the forward party and the supporting troops until enough men had been gathered to drive the defenders from the fort. His conduct on 2 December brought the Victoria Cross, gazetted in July 1892.

His subsequent career included Waziristan in 1894-1895, the Samana and Kurram Valley operations and the Tirah campaign. He advanced through captain and major to senior command. During the First World War he took his battalion to Egypt and served at Gallipoli, where he was wounded in the knee and evacuated.

After further service connected with the War Office, Boisragon retired and settled in the south of France. Egyptian recognition included the fourth class of the Order of the Nile. He died at Biarritz on 14 July 1931, aged sixty-six. His body was brought back to London for burial in Kensal Green Cemetery. His medals reflect a long sequence of frontier expeditions followed by renewed service in the First World War.

Victoria Cross citation (excerpt)

“For his conspicuous bravery in the assault and capture of the Nilt Fort, on 2nd December 1891.”...

Source: The London Gazette,12 July1892; transcription https://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbboisra.htm