THE OLDEST V.C.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19205, 23 June 1924, Page 7

THE OLDEST V.C.

“ A cheat soldier and a great gentleman, consistently actuated by simple, chivalrous devotion to duty”: such was tho terse, high tribute paid by Tho Times, on the occasion of Ids ninetieth birthday, to General Sir Dighton Probyn, V.C., whose death is now announced by cable. Some New Zealanders may hare seen the gallant veteran, bowed with ago but still most striking in appearance, in attendance on Queen Alexandra, whom he served in her widowhood with the same knightly loyalty that in earlier years had marked ids service of King Edward. Sir Dighton Probyn was one of tho first soldiers upon whom the Victoria Cross was conferred, and he lived to be tbo last survivor of the Mutiny V.C. holders with tho sole exception of Colonel Sir Edward Thackeray. To quote from a biographical account written some time ago: Probyn had already seen five years' active 'service on the frontier with the Punjab Cavalry, before, tho Mutiny broke out. “It would indeed bo difficult to imagine a more brilliant, dashing, dating irregular officer than Lieutenant Probyn," wrote Sir Hope Grant in his journal. At tho capture of Delhi, and later, in the critical action when Greathed’s column, marching to tho relief of Lucknow, was surprised by rebels at Agra, tho handsome, black-boarded young officer showed such valour ns could only bo rewarded with tho V.C. After tho fall of Lucknow, Probyn commanded tho Ist Sikh Irregular Cavalry. whidW canto to bo known ns Probyu's Horse, and he took that brilliant regiment to the China War of 1860, where they did extraordinary service, not only on the held, but also in harassing patrol, escort, and reconnaissance duty. Sir Dighton Probyn’a career falls into two well-defined periods of fighting for his country and of personal service to the royal house.