Matthew Rosamund

He helped rescue a paymaster and his family during a mutiny.

Matthew Rosamund served in the 37th Bengal Native Infantry. Born in 1823, he went to India during the 1840s and took part in the Second Sikh War, including Chilianwala and Goojerat.

On 4 June 1857 at Benares, he volunteered to accompany Lieutenant-Colonel Spottiswoode to set fire to the lines and drive out the mutineers. He later joined Sergeant-Major Peter Gill in bringing Captain Brown, the pension paymaster, his wife, infant and other people from a detached bungalow into the barracks. The Victoria Cross announcement recognized both acts and noted his subsequent promotion.

Rosamund received a commission in 1858 and later attained lieutenant. He remained in India, serving as a barrack master. While travelling home in 1866 he died aboard ship in the Red Sea and was buried at sea. His Victoria Cross was subsequently sold at auction in 1903; its present whereabouts are not established.

Official Victoria Cross citation

This Non-Commissioned Officer volunteered to accompany Lieutenant-Colonel Spottiswoode, Commanding the 37th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, to the right of the Lines, in order to set them on fire, with the view of driving out the Sepoys,—on the occasion of the outbreak at Benares, on the evening of the 4th of June, 1857; and also volunteered, with Serjeant-Major Gill, of the Loodiana Regiment, to bring off Captain Brown, Pension Paymaster, his wife and infant, and also some others, from a detached Bungalow, into the Barracks. His conduct was highly meritorious, and he has been since promoted.