Howard Elphinstone (British Army officer, born 1829)

Crossed exposed ground to rescue wounded men during assault.

Howard Craufurd Elphinstone was born near Riga on 12 December 1829, the son of a Royal Navy captain. Educated at Bonn and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, he entered the Royal Engineers in December 1847. His early work included surveying in Scotland before overseas service took him to the Crimea.

On 18 June 1855, during the unsuccessful assault at Sevastopol, he repeatedly went into exposed ground to bring in wounded men. His efforts continued under fire and brought the Victoria Cross. During the final assault in September he was struck by a shell splinter and lost an eye. His unconscious body was reportedly recognized by his servant among casualties awaiting burial, allowing him to receive treatment.

Elphinstone recovered and returned to professional duties, including work in the War Office's topographical department. Queen Victoria presented his Victoria Cross at Southsea in August 1858. The following year he began a long association with the royal household as governor and tutor to Prince Arthur, the future Duke of Connaught. His responsibilities subsequently included managing the prince's finances.

He combined these royal duties with advancement in the Army. Appointed an aide-de-camp to the Queen in 1877, he later commanded the Royal Engineers at Aldershot. He also undertook diplomatic military duties in Berlin at the request of the Crown Princess. His service brought British and foreign honours, including the civil Knight Commander of the Bath and Companion of St Michael and St George.

He married Annie Frances Cole in 1876, and they had four daughters. Promoted major general in January 1887, he became general officer commanding the Western District at Plymouth. On 8 March 1890, while travelling to the Canary Islands, he fell overboard from the steamship Tongariro off Ushant. He was lost at sea, aged sixty.