Percival Marling

He gave up his horse to carry a wounded soldier out of fire.

Percival Scrope Marling was born at King's Stanley, Gloucestershire, on 6 March 1861. Educated at Harrow and Sandhurst, he joined the 60th Rifles in 1880 and served in the First Boer War and the Egyptian campaign.

At Tamai on 13 March 1884, he went to the aid of Private Morley, who had been shot. When the wounded man fell from his horse, Marling dismounted and gave up the animal so that Morley could be carried away. They reached comparative safety with the enemy close behind. His conduct earned the Victoria Cross.

He served with the Camel Corps during the Nile Expedition and later transferred to the 18th Hussars, commanding the regiment during the South African War. He became CB and a colonel, retiring in 1910 after injuries. Returning for the First World War, he served on the Indian Corps staff in France before illness ended his active service. A Gloucestershire public servant and baronet, he died at Stanley Park on 29 May 1936 and was buried at Selsley.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For his conspicuous bravery at the battle of Tamai, on 13th March last, in risking his life to save that of Private Morley, Royal Sussex Regiment, who, having been shot, was lifted and placed in front of Lieutenant Marling on his horse. He fell off almost immediately, when Lieutenant Marling dismounted, and gave up his horse for the purpose of carrying off Private Morley, the enemy pressing close on to them until they succeeded in carrying him about 80 yards to a place of comparative safety.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 20 May 1884. 21 May 1884, Numb. 25356, p. 2278