James Thompson (VC)

He saved his captain, then lost his left arm fighting Delhi.

James Thompson grew up in Staffordshire and worked in agriculture before enlisting at Derby in January 1852. He joined the 1st Battalion of the 60th Rifles and served in India. When the uprising began in 1857, he was at Meerut and subsequently joined the force operating against Delhi.

On 9 July, Thompson saw his captain, Charles Wilton, surrounded by armed opponents who had rushed from a serai. He went to the officer’s assistance and killed two attackers before further help arrived. His fellow privates elected him for the Victoria Cross, recognizing both this rescue and his conduct throughout the siege. Queen Victoria presented the award at Windsor in November 1860.

He continued fighting until the assault on Delhi on 14 September. There he suffered a wound so severe that his left arm was amputated. The injury ended his military career, and he was invalided from the Army at Chatham in August 1858.

Returning to civilian life with a permanent disability, Thompson initially worked as a gamekeeper on a Scottish estate. He later moved to the Midlands and found employment as a colliery watchman around Staffordshire and Walsall. Such work provided a living but little protection against insecurity in old age.

By 1890 his circumstances had become so difficult that he sold his Victoria Cross. The sale reflected the poverty endured by some decorated former soldiers long after their wartime service. Thompson died on 5 December 1891. His life joined a brief period of conspicuous gallantry with decades of work after a disabling battlefield injury.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For gallant conduct in saving the life of his Captain (Captain Wilton), on the 9th of July, 1857, by dashing forward to his relief, when that Officer was surrounded by a party of Ghazees, who made a sudden rush on him from a Serai, and killing two of them before further assistance could reach. Also recommended for conspicuous conduct throughout the Siege. Wounded. Elected by the Privates of the Regiment.