Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Frederick Robertson Aikman, VC, 4th Bengal Native Infantry, 1860 (c)

Oil on canvas by Captain I A Goldingham, 1860 (c).

Aikman was a lieutenant in the 4th Bengal Native Infantry when he was awarded the Victoria Cross during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). On 1 March 1858 near Amethi in Sultanpur district, Aikman, commanding an advanced picket with 100 of his men, was informed of the proximity of a body of 500 rebel infantry and 200 horse and guns. The lieutenant attacked and utterly routed this large enemy force, cutting up more than 100 of them, capturing two guns and driving the survivors over the River Gumti. This feat was carried out over broken ground and partly under flanking fire from an adjoining fort. Lieutenant Aikman himself received a severe sabre cut in the face.