Henry Hugh Clifford

He led the charge at Inkerman and saved a soldier under fire

Henry Hugh Clifford was born at Irnham Hall, Lincolnshire, on 12 September 1826 into the family of Lord Clifford of Chudleigh. Educated in Britain and Switzerland, he joined the Rifle Brigade in 1846. Early service in southern Africa gave him experience of campaigning before the Crimean War.

In the Crimea he served on the staff of the Light Division and fought at the Alma and Inkerman. On 5 November 1854, during the confused fighting at Inkerman, he helped lead a charge, engaged Russian soldiers at close quarters and saved a British soldier's life. His Victoria Cross was among those announced after the decoration's creation. Queen Victoria presented it at the first Hyde Park investiture in June 1857.

Clifford remained in the Crimea until the war ended, then went to China as an assistant quartermaster-general during the operations that captured Canton. He married Josephine Anstice in 1857, and they had eight children. His later military work increasingly involved staff duties, administration and senior command. He became a major general in 1869 and a Companion of the Bath that year.

In 1879 he returned to South Africa to organize the lines of communication supporting British operations in Zululand. His experience helped bring order to transport and supply arrangements at Durban and along the route to the field force. He subsequently commanded in the Transvaal and Cape and was appointed a Knight Commander of St Michael and St George.

His final appointment was command of the Eastern District in Britain in 1882. He retired that September and died at Ugbrooke House, Devon, on 12 April 1883. His family preserved both the decorations and the letters and sketches through which he had recorded his Crimean experiences.

Victoria Cross citation

For his gallantry at Inkerman in leading one of the charges, killing one of the enemy with his sword, disabling another, and saving the life of a soldier. 5th November, 1854.