William Rennie

He charged ahead of the column and drove gunners away twice.

William Rennie came from Elgin in Scotland and began his military career in the ranks of the 73rd Regiment of Foot. He served in southern Africa during the frontier wars of 1846–1847 and 1850–1853. His conduct at Berea brought promotion to an ensign’s commission in August 1854, an important change from enlisted soldier to officer.

He subsequently joined the 90th Light Infantry and became a lieutenant and adjutant. The regiment went to India during the uprising of 1857. Rennie served with the force advancing towards Lucknow, where the fighting repeatedly required attacks on defended roads, bridges and gun positions.

His Victoria Cross citation records two actions in September 1857. At Mungulwar on 21 September he advanced ahead of the regiment’s skirmishers under heavy musketry and attacked the crew of a gun, helping secure its capture. Four days later, during the advance into Lucknow, he again went ahead of the main column despite artillery fire and forced opposing gunners to leave their weapons. The citation describes his advance “in the face of a heavy fire of grape” (The London Gazette, 24 December 1858; citation reproduced by the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, https://vcgca.org/our-people/profile/1038/William-RENNIE).

The two actions formed the basis of one Victoria Cross. His Indian Mutiny Medal carried the Defence of Lucknow and Relief of Lucknow clasps, reflecting the different stages of his service there. The earlier South Africa Medal recorded the campaigns in which he had first distinguished himself before receiving a commission.

Rennie continued serving after the uprising. He became a captain in 1863 and later advanced through major to lieutenant-colonel. He retired in 1875, ending a career that had carried him from the ranks of the 73rd to senior regimental rank. His promotions and continued service form a substantial later chapter beyond the two charges for which he was decorated.

He returned to Elgin and died there in August 1896. His medals were eventually acquired for the Cameronians regimental collection at Hamilton in 1969. The surviving group brings together the decoration for India and the campaign medal earned in southern Africa, preserving the outline of a career shaped by service in both regions.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For conspicuous gallantry in the advance upon Lucknow, under the late Major-General Havelock, on the 21st of September, 1857, in having charged the enemy’s guns in advance of the skirmishers of the 90th Light Infantry, under a heavy musketry fire, and prevented them dragging off one gun, which was consequently captured. For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow on the 25th of September, 1857, in having charged in advance of the 90th column, in the face of a heavy fire of grape, and forced the enemy to abandon their guns.

The London Gazette of 24 December 1858, Numb. 22212, p. 5518