Nevill Josiah Aylmer Coghill

He turned back into that river to help his drowning comrade.

Nevill Josiah Aylmer Coghill was born at Drumcondra, County Dublin, on 25 January 1852. Educated at Haileybury and Sandhurst, he joined the 24th Regiment and served in southern Africa, including the 1877-1878 campaigns. A leg injury kept him at Isandlwana when part of the British column marched away on 22 January 1879.

As the camp was overrun by the Zulu army, he escaped towards the Buffalo River alongside Lieutenant Teignmouth Melvill, who carried the Queen’s Colour. After crossing, Coghill turned back to assist Melvill in the flooded river. His horse was shot and the men struggled to the Natal bank. Both were killed on the hillside beyond.

There was no subsequent career. They were buried near Fugitives' Drift. Their conduct was formally recorded in 1879, but their posthumous Victoria Crosses were not approved until 1907. Coghill's cross was sent to his brother Sir Egerton.

Official recognition, London Gazette, 2 May 1879

Lieutenant Melvill, of the 1st Battalion 24th Foot, on account of the gallant efforts made by him to save the Queen’s Colour of his Regiment after the disaster at Isandlwanha, and also Lieutenant Coghill, 1st Battalion 24th Foot, on account of his heroic conduct in endeavouring to save his brother officer’s life, would have been recommended to Her Majesty for the Victoria Cross had they survived.