Reginald Sartorius

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person Major General Reginald William Sartorius Template:Post-nominals (8 May 1841 – 8 August 1907) was an army officer, and a 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.

Life

Educated at Victoria College, Jersey, Sartorius entered the Indian Army in January 1858. He joined the Bengal infantry, became a lieutenant in May 1858 and served in the Indian Mutiny (1858) and the Bhutan War (1864–65). In 1873, now a captain, Sartorius took part in the First Ashanti Expedition, in modern-day Ghana.<ref name=ODNB>Template:Cite ODNB</ref>

VC action

Sartorius was a 32 year old captain in the 6th Bengal Cavalry, British Indian Army, during the First Ashanti Expedition when the following deed took place at Abogu in the Ashanti Region, for which he was awarded the VC. His citation read:

For having during the attack on Abogoo, on the 17th January [1874], removed from under a heavy fire Serjeant-Major Braimah Doctor, a Housa Non-Commissioned Officer, who was mortally wounded, and placed him under cover.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}

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For his Ashanti service, Sartorius was also twice mentioned in dispatches,<ref name=ODNB/> promoted to brevet major,<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> and made a companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

Later career

Sartorius served in the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80) and in 1886 became a colonel. His active career came to an end in 1893, when he left India and went to live in Italy.<ref name=ODNB/> In 1895 he was promoted to major-general, Bengal infantry,<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> and in 1897 was placed on the retired list.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

He retired to Haslemere, Surrey. He was a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and died suddenly on 8 August 1907 when sailing at Cowes, Isle of Wight.<ref name=ODNB/> He was buried St Mary's Churchyard, South Baddesley, Hampshire.<ref name=Bio/>

Family

His father was Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Rose Sartorius. He had two brothers, both of whom entered the army: George Conrad Sartorius, who retired as a colonel, and Major General Euston Henry Sartorius, who was also awarded the VC.<ref name=ODNB/>

In 1877 Sartorius married Agnes Maria Kemp. They had a son, who also served in the Indian Army, and a daughter.<ref name=ODNB/>

One of Victoria College Jersey's five Houses was later named 'Sartorius' after the three brothers, all of whom attended the school.<ref name="schoollife">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The medal

His Victoria Cross is held by the National Army Museum, Chelsea, London.<ref name=Bio>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal
• Profile