Henry Cecil Dudgeon D'arcy
| Cecil D'Arcy | |
|---|---|
Ulundi burning
|
|
| Born |
11 August 1850 Wanganui, New Zealand |
| Died | October 1881 (aged 31) Arnatola Forest |
| Buried at | King William's Town, Eastern Cape cemetery |
| Allegiance | Cape Colony |
| Service/branch | South African Forces |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Cape Frontier Light Horse |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Captain Henry Cecil Dudgeon D'Arcy VC (11 August 1850 – October 1881) was a New Zealand 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.
D'Arcy, known as Cecil, was 28 years old, and a captain in the Frontier Light Horse, South African Forces during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 3 July 1879 at Ulundi, South Africa, during a reconnaissance, Captain D'Arcy went to the rescue of Trooper Raubenheim of the Frontier Light Horse who had fallen from his horse as the troops were retiring. The captain waited for the man to mount behind him although the enemy were quite close, but the horse kicked them both off. Captain D'Arcy was hurt by the fall, and quite alone, but he still tried to lift the trooper, who was stunned, on to the horse, and only mounted and rode off when he was completely exhausted.
He was born in Wanganui, New Zealand, where his father Major Oliver D’Arcy of the 65th Regiment was in the British garrison there (in 1860 Oliver transferred to the Cape Mounted Rifles and settled at King William's Town, Eastern Cape Colony).
Henry later joined the Cape Mounted Rifles as a captain, and served in the 1880 Basuto rising, but resigned in April 1881. He left the house of Rev. Taberer in the Cape Province where he was staying to recuperate during the night of 6–7 August 1881, and his remains were found next year (though there were rumours that he had subsequently been seen elsewhere).
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