William George Cubitt

Three soldiers survived the disastrous retreat from Chinhut because Lieutenant William George Cubitt risked his own life to rescue them, an act of courage that earned him the Victoria Cross.

Born in Calcutta on 19 October 1835, Cubitt entered the Bengal Army in 1853 as an ensign in the 13th Bengal Native Infantry. His first active service came during the Santhal campaign of 1855. Two years later, during the Indian Rebellion, he was serving at Lucknow when the garrison faced a major uprising.

On 30 June 1857, Cubitt accompanied the Volunteer Cavalry in the action at Chinhut. When the British-led force was forced to retreat, he stopped under enemy fire to rescue three men of the 32nd Regiment. He carried one behind him on his horse while the other two held its stirrups, enabling them to escape. His bravery was recognised with the Victoria Cross, announced in the London Gazette on 21 June 1859. Queen Victoria personally presented the decoration at Windsor Castle on 4 January 1860.

Cubitt subsequently served in the defence of the Lucknow Residency, including operations around Tehri Koti and an attack on a barricaded gateway. He was wounded during the siege and received the Indian Mutiny Medal with the Defence of Lucknow clasp.

After recovering and resuming his career, Cubitt served as an officer of the 16th Bengal Native Infantry and took part in the Duffla Expedition of 1874–75, when he was mentioned in despatches. During the Second Anglo-Afghan War, he served with the Khyber Line Force and commanded the fort at Ali Musjid. Serious illness forced him to leave active duty temporarily in 1880.

In 1881, Cubitt assumed command of the 43rd (Assam) Bengal Native Infantry, later associated with the Gurkha regiments, and was promoted Colonel in 1883. He participated in the Akha Expedition of 1883–84 and subsequently served during the Third Anglo-Burmese War. His command during operations in the Ruby Mines district brought further recognition, and he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, published in the London Gazette on 25 November 1887.

Cubitt's career combined conspicuous personal gallantry with decades of infantry service and operational command across India, Afghanistan and Burma. He died on 25 January 1903 and was buried at St Peter's Church, Frimley, Surrey.

Victoria Cross citation: For having on the retreat from Chinhut, on the 30th of June, 1857, saved the lives of three men of the 32nd Regiment, at the risk of his own.