Duncan Gordon Boyes VC

Name: Duncan Gordon Boyes

Conflict: Shimonoseki Expedition

Gazetted: April 21, 1865

Service: Royal Navy

Place/date of birth: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire/November 5, 1846

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Midshipman

Date of bravery: September 6, 1864

London Gazette citation [joint citation]:

Mr Duncan Gordon Boyes, Midshipman, of Her Majesty’s ship ‘Euryalus’…Date of Act of Bravery, September 6^th, 1864.

For the conspicuous gallantry which, according to the testimony of Captain Alexander, C.B., at that time Flag Captain to Vice-Admiral Sir Augustus Kuper, K.C.B., Mr. Boyes displayed on the occasion of the capture of the enemy’s stockade. He carried a Colour with the leading Company, kept it in advance of all, in the face of the thickest fire, his Colour-Serjeants having fallen, one mortally, the other dangerously, wounded; and he was only detained from proceeding yet further by the orders of his superior Officer. The Colour he carried was six times pierced by musket balls.

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Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Dunedin, New Zealand/January 26, 1869

Grave/memorials: Anderson’s Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, New Zealand

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Spink, London, 1998

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum