William George Hawtry Bankes

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person William George Hawtry Bankes VC (11 September 1836 – 6 April 1858) was an English 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.

He was educated at Westminster School, and in 1857 enlisted in the Army.

Bankes was 21 years old, and a Cornet in the 7th Hussars (The Queen's Own), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed on 19 March 1858 at Lucknow in India took place for which he was awarded the VC as published in the London Gazette:

As Bankes was dying Queen Victoria wrote of his plight in a letter to the Princess Royal:

There is a poor young man – of the name Bankes – who has been cut almost to pieces – he fell and was surrounded by a set of fanatics who cut at him, his thigh was nearly severed from his body – and so was his arm! Besides six other desperate wounds! He has had his right leg and his right arm amputated – and yet they hope he will live. This is, they say, the pattern of patience and fortitude.<ref>Cornet William George Hawtry Bankes</ref>{{#if:|

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Bankes was awarded the VC when the award criteria for the medal was amended to allow posthumous awards.

The Medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, Imperial War Museum, London. A copy VC is on display alongside his portrait at Kingston Lacy, Dorset, England.

References

• Reference
• Burial location of William Bankes "India"
• Location of William Bankes' Victoria Cross "Queen's Own Hussars Museum"