James Hills-Johnes

Defended his guns whilst enemy cavalry broke into the lines.

James Hills was born at Neechindipore in India on 20 August 1833. Educated at Edinburgh Academy and Addiscombe, he entered the Bengal Artillery in 1853. During the uprising of 1857 he served with the Bengal Horse Artillery in the campaign around Delhi.

On 9 July 1857, Hills was on picket duty when Indian cavalry broke into the British position. He attempted to delay the attackers so that his guns could be brought into action. Unhorsed in the fighting, he continued to defend himself at close quarters. His commander Henry Tombs twice intervened when Hills was in immediate danger. Both officers received the Victoria Cross.

Hills subsequently served at the capture of Delhi and in the Lucknow campaign. His career took him to the Abyssinian expedition, the Lushai campaign and the Second Afghan War. In Afghanistan he served on the staff and became military governor of Kabul, later commanding a division. His service brought repeated mentions in despatches and advancement in the Order of the Bath.

In 1882 he married Elizabeth Johnes and added her surname to his own. He became a lieutenant-general and retired in 1888. Created a Knight Grand Cross of the Bath in 1893, Hills-Johnes settled at Dolaucothi in Carmarthenshire. He remained involved in local public life and military associations, serving as an honorary colonel and helping organize the county Territorial Force. He also accompanied Lord Roberts privately during part of the South African War. He died at Dolaucothi on 3 January 1919 and was buried at Caio.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For very gallant conduct on the part of Lieutenant Hills before Delhi, in defending the position assigned to him in case of alarm, and for noble behaviour on the part of Lieutenant-Colonel Tombs in twice coming to his subaltern’s rescue, and on each occasion killing his man. (See despatch of Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie, Commanding 1st Brigade Horse Artillery, dated Camp, near Delhi, 10th July, 1857, published in the Supplement to The London Gazette of the 16th January, 1858.)

The London Gazette of 27 April 1858, Numb. 22131, p. 2050)