GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY


vociferating lustily; and then there was to be seen the sad spectacle of our Dragoons broken and flying to the rear, whilst one of our guns went rightabout, some of the horses mounted and some riderless, and galloped towards our Camp.


Tombs was now in the midst of the enemy, who were striking at him from all sides, but with no effect. A man of a noble presence, tall, strong, of robust frame and handsome countenance, dark-haired, dark-bearded, and of swarthy complexion, he was, in all outward semblance, the model of a Faringhi warrior; and the heroic aspect truly expressed the heroic qualities of the man. There was no finer soldier in the Camp. Threading his way adroitly through the black horsemen, he ascended the Mound, and looking down into the hollow, where his two guns had been posted, he saw the remaining one overturned, the horses on the ground, struggling in their harness or dead, with some slain or wounded gunners beside them. Near the guns he saw the prostrate body of Hills, apparently entangled in his cloak, with a dismounted Sawar standing over him with drawn sword, about to administer the death-stroke. At this time Tombs was some thirty paces from his friend. He could not hope to reach the enemy in time to cut him down with the sabre, so resting his revolver on his left arm, he took steady aim at the trooper, who was turned full-breasted towards him, and shot him through the body. The blood oozed out through the white tunic of the wounded rebel, and, for a while at least, Hills was saved.


But the danger was not yet passed. Tombs helped his fallen subaltern to rise, and together they ascended the slope of the Mound. As they were watching the movements of the enemy, they saw a little way beneath them another dismounted Sawar, who was walking away with Hills' revolver in his hand. They made at once towards him. He was a young, strong, active trooper, who turned and attacked them with his sword, as one well skilled in the use of the weapon. His first blow aimed at Hills was parried. Then he struck at Tombs, who with like address guarded the cut. But the third blow, struck with despairing energy, as he sprung upon the younger of his opponents, broke down Hills' guard, and clove the skull to the brain. In a moment he had turned upon Tombs, who coolly parried the blow and drove his sword right through the trooper's body.


Early Life and Campaigning


Henry Tombs was born in Calcutta in 1825, the seventh and youngest son of Major General John Tombs and Mary Tombs (née Remington). He joined the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in February 1838, at the age of fourteen, going on to Addiscombe College from August 1839, where he remained until June 1841, when he was gazetted to the Bengal Artillery.


He reached Calcutta on 18 November 1841, and two years later, joined the Army of Gwalior; being present at the action of Punniar with the 16th Light Field Battery (Mentioned in Despatches for having “done good service by firing with effect on the enemy when commanding two guns on rearguard” and received Medal). In January 1844 he was promoted to Lieutenant and in March of the same year was appointed to the 1st Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery. He served in the Sutlej Campaign of 1845-46, and was present at the actions of Moodkee, Ferozeshuhur and Aliwal. He acted as A.D.C. to General Sir Harry Smith at Buddiwal and Aliwal (Mentioned in Despatches and received the Medal with two clasps).


Lieutenant Tombs served in the Punjab Campaign of 1848-49 as D.A.Q.M.G. to all the artillery commanded by Brigadier James Tennant, Bengal Artillery. He was present at the action of Ramnugger, at the passage of the Chenab, at the fight at Sadulapur and the Battle of Chillianwallah, and at Gujerat, when Lord Gough completely routed the Sikhs (Mentioned in Despatches for Chillianwallah and Gujerat and recommended for a Brevet Majority on promotion to Captain, and received the Punjab Medal with two clasps).


On 30 October 1850, he was appointed Adjutant of the 2nd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery, which post he held until 30 November 1853, when he was transferred to the Field Artillery on proceeding on furlough. He became Captain on 25 July 1854; and Brevet-Major on 1 August 1854; reappointed to the Bengal Horse Artillery 27 November 1855, and was given command of the 2nd Troop, 1st Brigade, at Jullundur in 1856, which troop he was to make famous during the Indian Mutiny.


Indian Mutiny and Fame


The 2nd Troop, 1st Brigade, marched from Jullundur to Meerut, arriving there on 16 March 1857. At one of the encamping grounds near Delhi, Major Tombs was told by the "Tehsildar" (Native Executive Revenue Official) there was a prophecy that the whole country would be running in blood ; that British rule would be nearly destroyed, but that it would recover itself and be stronger than ever. The Indian Mutiny broke out at Meerut on 10 May, 1857, when the native cavalry and infantry stationed there revolted and murdered their officers with their wives and many other Europeans also. Tombs's troop was the first to respond to the alarm.


With the 60th Rifle and Carabiniers it moved down to the blazing lines of the native regiments. At their approach the rebels moved off to Delhi. Tombs's troop bivouacked for the night on the open ground between the lines of the artillery and 60th Rifles. On 27 May four of the guns of the troop, under Major Tombs, Lieutenant’s Perkins and Wilson and Second Lieutenant James Hills, accompanied Brigadier Archdale Wilson on his march towards Delhi while the remaining two guns were left under Lieutenant T. P. Smith for the protection of Meerut On 30 and 31 May were fought the actions on the Hindun. On the 30th Tombs's horse was shot. On the 31st the enemy unexpectedly attacked near the Hindun. Tombs's troop crossed the river, took the rebels in flank and silenced their guns. Other troops co-operated, and after a severe fight of two hours the enemy was routed and Lieutenant Perkins killed. The splendid behaviour of Tombs's troop was the admiration of all.


On 7 June General Archdale Wilson's column joined the force under the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir H. Barnard, at Alipur, which on the 8th completely defeated the rebels in the Battle of Badli-ke-Serai. On the same day the heights before Delhi were occupied by the Commander-in-Chief, and from that time until the final capture of the city on 20 September the troop took part in almost daily fights. For some days after reaching the ridge Tombs helped to defend the post at Hindu Rao's House. After the heavy guns were in position the troop was on picquet duty (two guns at a time) at “The Mound," in rear of the right flank of the camp.


Tombs greatly distinguished himself in the events of 17, 19 and 23 June, and he took a prominent part in the destruction of a battery which the enemy was constructing near a Mohammedan mosque, called the Idgah, which Earl Roberts thus describes in his book, Forty-One Years in India: "On 17 June, 1857, we were attacked from almost every direction, a manoeuvre intended to prevent our observing a battery which was being constructed close to the Idgah situated on a hill to our right, from which to enfilade our position on the ridge. As it was very important to prevent the completion of this battery, Barnard ordered it to be attacked by two small columns, one commanded by Tombs of the Bengal Horse Artillery, the other by Reid. Tombs, with 400 of the 60th Rifles and 1st Bengal Fusiliers, 30 of the Guides Cavalry, 20 Sappers and Miners, and his own troop of Horse Artillery, moved towards the enemy's left. Tombs drove the rebels through a succession of gardens, till they reached the Idgah, where they made an obstinate but unavailing resistance. The gates of the mosque were blown open and thirty-nine of its defenders were killed. Tombs himself was slightly wounded, and had two horses killed, making five which had been shot under this gallant soldier since the commencement of the campaign. Henry Tombs, of the Bengal Horse Artillery was an unusually handsome man and a thorough soldier. His gallantry in the attack in the Idgah was the talk of the camp. I had always heard of Tombs as one of the best officers in the regiment, and it was with feelings of respectful admiration that I made his acquaintance. As a cool, bold leader of men Tombs was unsurpassed; no fire, however hot, and no crisis, however unexpected, could take him by surprise. He grasped the situation in a moment and issued his orders without hesitation, inspiring all ranks with confidence in his power and capacity. He was something of a martinet, and was more feared than liked by his men until they realised what a grand leader he was, when they gave him their entire confidence and were ready to follow him anywhere and everywhere." The men got to worship him. Tombs was publicly commended by the Commander-in-Chief, who described his conduct as "glorious."


On 19 June Tombs guns were saved from capture by Daly with his Guides, who had come up after their magnificent march from Hoti Mardan to Delhi. On 23 June Major Tombs was in command of the artillery during heavy fighting in scorching heat. Early on 9 July the rebels made a sudden attack on the English camp, and for their gallantry on this occasion Tombs and Hills were awarded the Victoria Cross (London Gazette 24 April 1858). The Right Honourable the Governor-General of India, in a General Order dated 4 December 1857, remarked : "The readiness and coolness, as well as gallantry, evinced by Major Tombs of the Bengal Artillery, on various occasions recorded in these papers, and the signal daring of Lieut. Hills, who alone and unsupported charged a body of the enemy's cavalry and saved his battery, commanded the admiration of the Governor-General in Council."


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