James Dundas (VC)

James Dundas VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Born in Scotland, Dundas served as a lieutenant in the Bengal Engineers, Indian Army, during the Bhutan War.

On 30 April 1865, at Dewan-Giri, Bhutan, Dundas performed the action that would earn him the Victoria Cross. Alongside Major William Spottiswoode Trevor, he was ordered to lead an assault on a heavily defended enemy block-house. They climbed a 14-foot wall and entered the stronghold, occupied by approximately 200 desperate enemy soldiers, through a tiny two-foot opening.

Despite being wounded during the assault, Dundas fought on and successfully convinced the enemy force to surrender. He spent three months recovering in a hospital. His Victoria Cross was later presented to him in Calcutta on 23 March 1868, and the medal is now held in the Ashworth Collection at the Imperial War Museum in London.