Gonville Bromhead (29 August 1845-9 February 1892) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 33 years old, and a Lieutenant in the 2nd Bn., 24th Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 and 23 January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Lieutenant Bromhead shared the command of the defenders of the post with an officer of the Royal Engineers (John Rouse Merriott Chard), setting a fine example and conducting himself with great gallantry in most trying circumstances.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Major. He was considered to be Irish, despite being born in Versailles, France, August 29, 1845. His mother was certainly Irish, Judith Christine Wood, of Woodville, Co. Sligo, but his father's home was Thurlby Hall, north of Bassingham , near Lincoln.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum (Brecon, Powys, Wales).

Reference

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Richard Howes, John Young

See also

External links

• Lt. Gonville Bromhead (biography, photos, memorial details)
• Rorke's Drift (information within Frederick Hitch site)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.