LTC William Henry Dick-Cunyngham (1851-1900)

2nd Afghan War Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award for his actions at Sherpur Pass, Afghanistan on December 13, 1879 as a 2nd lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders of the British Army during the 2nd Anglo-Afghan War that occurred from 1878 until 1880. In 1881 he was sent to South Africa and participated in the 1st Boer War. In March 1891 he became a major with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and two years later he returned to India, serving as the Station Officer in Bengal until 1894 and as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General until 1896. In February 1897 he returned to the Gordon Highlanders, accompanying them to South Africa for the 2nd Boer War. In 1899 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and became commander of the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders and was killed in combat at the age of 48 during the siege of Ladysmith. His Victoria Cross Citation reads: "For the conspicuous gallantry and coolness displayed by him on the 13th December, 1879, at the attack on the Sherpur Pass, in Afghanistan, in having exposed himself to the full fire of the enemy, and by his example and encouragement rallied the men who, having been beaten back, were, at the moment, wavering at the top of the hill." His Victoria Cross is on display at the Gordon Highlanders Museum at Aberdeen, Scotland.

Bio by: William Bjornstad

Inscription

GORDON HIGHLANDERS
EGYPT
INDIA
2nd BATTALION
DIED OF WOUNDS
7TH JANUARY 1900
LIEUT. COLONEL
WILLIAM HENRY
DICK-CUNYNGHAM
V.C.
AGED 48

PLACED BY THE
REGIMENT