Harry Lyster

Charging a defended square, he broke through its armed ranks

Harry Lyster was born in Dublin on 24 December 1830, the son of Anthony Lyster, a civil servant, and Marcia Tate. Commissioned into the East India Company's army in September 1848, he joined the 72nd Bengal Native Infantry and served in the Punjab campaign, including the siege of Multan.

During the Indian uprising of 1857–58 he served on the staff of Sir Hugh Rose's Central India Field Force. His work as an interpreter and aide-de-camp brought him into operations against successive defended positions. At Kalpi on 23 May 1858, the British encountered a body of enemy infantry drawn up in a square. Lyster charged into the formation, engaging its defenders at close quarters and helping break their resistance. His Victoria Cross recognised this conspicuous personal intervention. The award was gazetted in October 1859 and presented in Calcutta the following year.

Lyster continued his Indian Army career after the rebellion. He commanded the 3rd Gurkhas during the Second Afghan War and served at Ahmed Khel in 1880. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1881. Promotion to major general followed in 1887 and to lieutenant general in 1891; he retired in 1892.

He married Caroline Matilda Underdown, formerly Davies, in 1865. After her death in 1895, he married Ada Cole in 1901. He lived for more than three decades after leaving active service and died in London on 1 February 1922, aged 91. He was buried at St James the Less, Stubbings, beside his first wife.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For gallantly charging and breaking, singly, a skirmishing square of the retreating Rebel Army from Calpee, and killing two or three Sepoys in the conflict. Major General Sir Hugh Henry Rose G.C.B., reports that this Act of Bravery was witnessed by himself and by Lieutenant Colonel Gall C.B., of the 14th Light Dragoons.

The London Gazette of 21 October 1859, Numb. 22318, p. 3792