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Lieutenant, British Army
Lieutenant Nevill Josiah Aylmer Coghill VC was an Irish officer in the British Army who served during the Anglo-Zulu War. He is best remembered for his heroic actions at the Battle of Isandlwana on January 22, 1879, where he attempted to save the Queen's Colour of the 24th Regiment of Foot alongside Lieutenant Teignmouth Melvill.
Following the British defeat at Isandlwana, Coghill and Melvill attempted to escape across the Buffalo River to prevent the regimental colours from falling into enemy hands. Both officers were overtaken by Zulu warriors and killed at Fugitive's Drift. Their bodies were recovered two weeks later and buried at the site of their final stand.
For their extreme gallantry, Coghill and Melvill were among the first soldiers to be officially awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously, in 1907, after the policy regarding posthumous awards was changed. Prior to this, the official stance was that they would have received the award had they survived. His Victoria Cross is now displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh.
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