The Victoria Cross - Henry D'Arcy

Captain
HENRY CECIL DUDGEON D'ARCY
Cape Frontier Light Horse, South African Forces
Ulundi, South Africa - 3 July 1879

Captain D'Arcy was born at Wanganui, New Zealand, on 11 August 1850, and was 28 years old, and a Captain in the Cape Frontier Light Horse, South African Forces, during the Zulu War, when the action for which he was awarded The Victoria Cross took place.

"On 3 July 1879 at Ulundi, South Africa, during a reconnaissance, Captain D'Arcy went to the rescue of a trooper 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."

Captain D'Arcy is believed to have committed suicide between 8 August and 28 December 1881, and is buried at King William's Town Cemetery.

His Victoria Cross is not publicly held.

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