Robert Newell

Robert Newell
Born	1835 Seaham, County Durham
Died	11 July 1858 (aged 22–23) Umballa, British India
Buried	Umballa Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Private
Unit	9th Lancers
Battles/wars	Indian Mutiny
Awards	Victoria Cross

Robert Newell VC (1835 – 11 July 1858) 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.

Private Newell was approximately 23 years old, and a private in the 9th Lancers of the British Army when the following deed on 19 March 1857, during the Indian Mutiny at Lucknow, India led to the award of the Victoria Cross:

Private R. Newell. Date of Act of Bravery, 19th March, 1858

For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow, on the 19th of March, 1858, in going to the assistance of a comrade whose horse had fallen on bad ground, and bringing him away, under a heavy fire of musketry from a large body of the enemy.

Despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant, K.C.B., dated 8th April, 1858.^[1]

He died four months later in India on 11 July 1858.^[2] His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

References