Sam Browne
| Sir Samuel Browne | |
|---|---|
General Browne in 1897
|
|
| Born |
3 October 1824 Barrackpore, British India |
| Died | 14 March 1901 (aged 76) Ryde, Isle of Wight |
| Buried at | Town Cemetery, Ryde |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
Bengal Army British Indian Army |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars |
Indian Mutiny Second Anglo-Afghan War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Order of the Bath Order of the Star of India |
| Other work | Inventor of the Sam Browne belt |
General Sir Samuel James Browne VC GCB KCSI (3 October 1824 – 14 March 1901) was a British Indian Army cavalry officer in India and Afghanistan, known best as the namesake of the Sam Browne belt. He was a British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award for gallantry in combat that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was born in Barrackpore, India, the son of Dr. John Browne, a surgeon of the Bengal Medical Service and his wife Charlotte (née Swinton). Browne joined the 46th Bengal Native Infantry as a subaltern, participating in action at Ramnuggar, Sadoolapore, Chillianwalla and Gujarat. In 1849 he was made a lieutenant and tasked with raising a cavalry force, to be designated the 2nd Punjab Irregular Cavalry and later incorporated into the regular force. He would command this unit for the next five years. Later (1904) the unit would be re-designated as the 22nd Sam Browne's Cavalry (Frontier Force) in his honour.
Browne commanded the 2nd Punjab in several engagements, and was decorated for action during the Bozdar Expedition of 1857, being promoted to captain.
Browne was awarded the Victoria Cross for actions on 31 August 1858 at Seerporah, Rohilkhand, Uttar Pradesh, India. His citation reads:
...
Wikipedia