Fenton John Aylmer

Fenton John Aylmer (VC, KCB) was an Irish 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 29 years old, and a Captain in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the Hunza-Naga Campaign, India when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 2 December 1891 during the assault on Nilt Fort, India, Captain Aylmer, with the storming party, forced open the inner gate with gun-cotton which he had placed and ignited, and although severely wounded, fired 19 shots with his revolver, killing several of the enemy, and remained fighting until, fainting from loss of blood, he was carried out of action.

He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant General.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum (Chatham, Kent, England).

Reference

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Golders Green)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.