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![Go to record War Services of Officers of the Bengal Army 1863 [HEIC]](../themes/fibisnew/images/viewrecord.png) War Services of Officers of the Bengal Army 1863 [HEIC] |
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 Officers of the Bengal Army 1863 - Rank and Services S-U
| Date transcribed | 2008-01-31 | | Transcribed by | Peter Bailey | | Comment | Each Officer of the Bengal Army still alive and serving in 1863 is mentioned with his Career Progression and War Service |
 | Surname | Tombs | | | First Name(s) | H | | | Honours | CB, VC | | | Rank | Brevet-Colonel | | | Regiment | Bengal Artillery | | | Commissions | 2nd Lieut, 11 Jun 41 / Lieut, 15 Jan 44 / Captain, 25 Jul 54 / Bt-Major, 1 Aug 54 / Bt-Lieut-Colonel, 19 Jan 58 / Bt-Colonel, 20 Jul 58 | | | Service | Colonel Tombs, C.B. and V.C., was present at the battle of Punniar, Bronze Star; at the actions of Moodkee and Ferozeshuhur, affair of Buddiwal, and battle of Alliwal, as A.B.C. to Sir Harry Smith. Medal and 2 Clasps. Army of the Punjab, 45, 46, as Deputy Assistant Quarter-Master-General of the Artillery, including the actions of Ramnuggur, passage of the Chenab, Chillianwallah, and Goojerat. Medal and 2 Clasps. Served during the Mutiny at the siege and capture of Delhi, &c., &c. Medal and Clasp, V.C., and Brevets of Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel. Brigadier Wilson thus alludes to the acts for which Colonel Tombs received the Victoria Cross. "Yesterday, the 9th instant (July 57), Second Lieutenant J. Hills was on picquet duty with two guns at the mound to the right of the Camp. About 11 oclock a. m., there was a rumour that the enemys Cavalry were coming down on this post. Lieutenant Hills proceeded to take up the position assigned to him in case of alarm; but before he reached the spot, he saw the enemy close upon his guns before they had time to form up. To enable him to do this, Lieutenant Hills boldly charged single-handed the head of the enemys Column, cut down the first man, struck the second, and was then ridden down, horse and all. On getting up and searching for his sword, three more men came at him (two mounted); the first man he wounded with his pistol; he caught the lance of the second in his left hand, and wounded him with his sword; the first man then came on again and was cut down; the third man (on foot) then came up and wrenched the sword from the hand of Lieutenant Hills (who fell in the struggle), and the enemy was about to cut him down, when Major Tombs (who had gone up to visit his two guns) saw what was going on, rushed in, and shot the man and saved Lieutenant Hills. By this time the enemys Cavalry had passed by, and Major Tombs and Lieutenant Hills went to look after the wounded men, when Lieutenant Hills observed one of the enemy passing with his (Lieutenant Hills) pistol. They walked towards him, the man flourishing his sword and dancing about. He first cut at Lieutenant Hills, who parried the blow, and he then turned on Major Tombs, who received the blow in the same manner. The second attack on Lieutenant Hills was (I regret to say) more successful, as he was cut down with a bad sword cut on the head, and would have been, no doubt, killed, had not Major Tombs rushed in and put his sword through the man. I feel convinced that such gallant conduct on the part of these two Officers has only to be brought properly forward to meet with an appropriate reward. Major Tombs was saved frorm a severe sword cut on the head by the wadded head dress he wore." Mentioned in General Reeds Despatch, 14th July 57, for being conspicuous for distinguished gallantry. Frequently mentioned in Despatches. |
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Each Officer in the Bengal Army still alive in 1863 is mentioned together with his promotion progression and War Services.
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