Captain Dighton MacNaghten Probyn, 2nd Punjab Cavalry, at the Battle of Agra, 10 October 1857

Oil on canvas, by Louis William Desanges, 1860 (c).

As a captain in the 2nd Punjab Cavalry Probyn (1833-1924) was mentioned in despatches seven times during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and was awarded the VC 'for gallantry and daring'; most notably at Agra on 10 October 1857 when his squadron charged rebel infantry. He served in the 2nd China War (1860-1862), and went on to receive a number of honours and awards, becoming a General in 1888, KCVO in 1896, PC in 1901, GCB in 1902 and GCSI in 1911. He became Comptroller and Treasurer to the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) and served as Comptroller to Queen Alexandra from 1910 to 1924. Probyn died in 1924 at the age of 91, having served for many years in the Royal Household.

This painting is one of a series of 55 depicting Victoria Cross subjects executed between 1859 and 1862 by the British artist Louis Desanges, and displayed at the Crystal Palace during the 1860s and 1870s.