James Reynolds Roberts

He protected a wounded comrade despite his own injured hand.

James Reynolds Roberts was born at Bow in London in 1826. He worked as a furrier before enlisting in the 9th Lancers on 14 February 1845. His regiment served in India, where he took part in the Punjab campaign and the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat. He remained with the regiment through the uprising of 1857 and the operations associated with Delhi and Lucknow.

On 28 September 1857 at Bulandshahr, Roberts saw Farrier Stillman wounded and in danger of being killed. Although Roberts had himself been injured in the bridle hand, he went to Stillman's assistance and fought off the men surrounding him. He continued the defence until help arrived. Stillman subsequently died, but Roberts's intervention prevented him from being abandoned during the action.

The Victoria Cross was announced on 24 December 1858. Roberts was one of the 9th Lancers whose individual conduct became closely associated with the regiment's reputation during the campaign. His earlier and later service was represented by the Punjab Medal with the Chilianwala and Goojerat clasps and the Indian Mutiny Medal with Delhi and Lucknow.

His health did not permit a lengthy post-war career. He was medically discharged at Chatham on 22 February 1859, only weeks after the award had been gazetted. He died in Middlesex Hospital in London on 1 August that year.

Roberts therefore never received the Victoria Cross in person. His brother received it on his behalf on 21 September 1859. He was buried in Paddington Old Cemetery in a common grave, without an individual stone identifying the decorated cavalryman. The regimental account of his service preserves both his working background and the final rescue for which he was remembered.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For conspicuous gallantry at Bolundshahur, on the 28th of September, 1857, in bringing a comrade, mortally wounded, through a street under a heavy musketry fire, in which service he was himself wounded. Despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant, K.C.B., dated 8th April, 1858).

The London Gazette of 24 December 1858, Numb. 22212, p. 5517