Victoria Cross medal group awarded to General Sir Sam Browne

Medal group (from left to right): Victoria Cross; India General Service Medal 1854-95, with clasp, 'North West Frontier'; Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58, with clasp, 'Lucknow'; 2nd Afghan War Medal 1878-80, with clasp, 'Ali Musjid'.

Sam Browne (1824-1901) was born in India, the son of a surgeon of the Bengal Army. He joined the East India Company's Army as an ensign in the 46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry and served throughout the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849) and in campaigns on the North West Frontier, where he commanded the 2nd Punjab Cavalry.

During the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) Browne received the Victoria Cross (VC) for his bravery at Seerporah on 31 August 1858, when he led a successful attack on the enemy guns, engaging in hand to hand combat. During the struggle he was severely wounded and lost his left arm.

Browne went on to command the Punjab Cavalry and the Corps of Guides before playing a distinguished part in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). While commanding the 1st Division of the Peshawar Field Force, he captured the Ali Musjid fortress and forced the Khyber Pass. For these services he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1879 and received the thanks of Parliament. Browne later reached the rank of general and is famous for inventing the 'Sam Browne' belt. The latter made it easier for him to carry and use a sword and pistol after his injury.