Edmund Phipps-Hornby
| Edmund John Phipps-Hornby | |
|---|---|
Major Phipps-Hornby, 1900
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| Born |
31 December 1857 Lordington House, Emsworth, Hampshire |
| Died | 13 December 1947 (aged 89) Sonning, Berkshire |
| Buried at | St Andrew's churchyard, Sonning |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1878–1918 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | Royal Artillery |
| Battles/wars | Bechuanaland Expedition 1884–5 Second Boer War First World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Mentioned in Despatches |
| Relations |
Sir Geoffrey Hornby (father) Geoffrey H. Phipps-Hornby, Sr. (son) Robert Hornby (brother) |
Brigadier General Edmund John Phipps-Hornby, VC, CB, CMG, DL (31 December 1857 – 13 December 1947) was a British Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Phipps-Hornby was born in Lordington House, Hampshire on 31 December 1857, the son of the Admiral of the Fleet Sir Geoffrey Phipps Hornby. He was the brother of Captain Geoffrey Stanley Phipps-Hornby and Admiral Robert Phipps Hornby.
Phipps-Hornby was 42 years old, and a major commanding Q Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, British Army, during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
On 31 March 1900 at Sanna's Post (aka Korn Spruit), South Africa, 'Q' and 'U' batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery were ambushed with the loss of most of the baggage column and five guns of the leading battery. When the alarm was given 'Q' Battery, commanded by Major Phipps Hornby, went into action 1150 yards from the spruit, until the order to retire was received, when the major commanded that the guns and their limbers be run back by hand to a safe place — a most exhausting operation over a considerable distance, but at last all but one of the guns and one limber had been moved to safety and the battery reformed. The citation reads:
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