Duncan Gordon Boyes

Duncan Gordon Boyes
Duncan Gordon Boyes VC in his midshipman's uniform
Born	5 November 1846 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Died	26 January 1869 (aged 23) Dunedin, New Zealand
Buried at	Andersons Bay Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Rank	Midshipman
Battles/wars	Shimonoseki Expedition
Awards	Victoria Cross
Relations	Thomas James Young VC (brother-in-law)

Duncan Gordon Boyes VC (5 November 1846 – 26 January 1869) 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. He won the award during the Shimonoseki Expedition, Japan in 1864.

Duncan Gordon Boyes was born at 3 Paragon Buildings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, the son of John Boyes and his wife Sabina on 5 November 1846. His sister Louisa Mary was later to marry Thomas James Young, who won a Victoria Cross at Lucknow, India in 1857.

Duncan was educated at Cheltenham College (hence their reason for having the Cross from 1978 until 1998) and joined the Royal Navy. He was assigned to HMS Euryalus on the East Indies station.

He won his VC at the age of 17, for his part in action at Shimonoseki, Japan on 6 September 1864. Midshipman Boyes of HMS Euryalus. He carried the Queen's Colour into action with the leading company attacking the enemy's stockade. He kept the colours flying in spite of direct fire which killed one of his colour sergeants. Boyes and Colour Sergeant Thomas Pride who was badly wounded, were only prevented from going further forward by direct orders from their superior officer.

The citation was published in the London Gazette of 21 April 1865 and read:

Duncan Gordon Boyes, Royal Navy, Midshipman of Her Majesty's Ship Euryalus

For the conspicuous gallantry, which, according to the testimony of Capt. Alexander CB, at that time Flag Captain to Vice-Admiral Sir Augustus Kuper KCB, Mr. Boyes displayed in the capture of the enemy's stockade. He carried a Colour with the leading company, kept it in advance of all, in the face of the thickest fire, his colour-sergeants having fallen, one mortally, the other dangerously wounded, and he was only detained from proceeding yet further by the orders of his superior officer. The Colour he carried was six times pierced by musket balls.