Sam Browne

He charged a rebel gun and lost an arm saving advancing men.

Samuel James Browne was born in India in 1824, the son of a Bengal Army surgeon. He entered the East India Company's army as an ensign in the 46th Bengal Native Infantry and fought in the Second Sikh War. His career became closely associated with the 2nd Punjab Cavalry and the North West Frontier.

At Seerporah on 31 August 1858, Browne advanced with an orderly against a nine-pounder gun threatening British infantry. He attacked its crew before they could reload. Sword wounds badly injured his knee and severed his left arm, but the gun was prevented from firing and was captured by the infantry. The Victoria Cross recognized his intervention.

Browne returned to command despite the loss of his arm. He later commanded the Corps of Guides and, in the Second Afghan War, led the 1st Division of the Peshawar Field Force through the Khyber Pass and captured Ali Musjid. He became a general, GCB and KCSI. The equipment belt associated with his name helped him carry weapons after his injury. He died at Ryde on 14 March 1901.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For having at Seerporah, in an engagement with the Rebel Forces under Khan Allie Khan, on the 31st of August, 1858, whilst advancing upon the Enemy’s position, at day break, pushed on with one orderly Sowar upon a nine-pounder gun that was commanding one of the approaches to the enemy’s position, and attacked the gunners, thereby preventing them from re-loading, and firing upon the Infantry, who were advancing to the attack. In doing this, a personal conflict ensued, in which Captain, now Lieutenant-Colonel, Samuel James Browne, Commandant of the 2nd Punjab Cavalry, received a severe sword-cut wound on the left knee, and shortly afterwards another swordcut wound, which severed the left arm at the shoulder, not, however, before Lieutenant-Colonel Browne had succeeded in cutting down one of his assailants. The gun was prevented from being re-loaded, and was eventually captured by the Infantry, and the gunner slain.

The London Gazette of 1 March 1861, Numb. 22485, p. 1007