b. 12/07/1823 St Neots, Huntingdonshire. d. 14/07/1866 Red Sea.
Matthew Rosamund (1823-1866) was born in St Neots, Cambridgeshire on 13th July 1823. The family moved to Seaton Town, Luton, Bedfordshire when Matthew was a child, and he was the son and grandson of soldiers. Matthew enlisted with the 37th Bengal Native Infantry, and was originally posted to India in the 1840s, and served in the Sikh War. He was also present at the actions at Chilianwallah and Gujerat.
Matthew Rosamund VC
Rosamund was heavily involved in the suppressing of the Indian Mutiny between 1857-1858, and on the 4th June 1857, he was at Benares, when he performed the actions which would lead to the award of the Victoria Cross (London Gazette, 24th August 1858). Rosamund had volunteered to accompany Lieutenant Colonel Spottiswoode, who was commanding the 37th Bengal Native Infantry, to the right of the lines, with the aim of setting fire to the defences, to drive the Sepoys out. Later that evening, he also volunteered with Sergeant Major Peter Gill, to launch a rescue attempt of Captain Brown, the Pension Paymaster, and his family from their detached bungalow, which was under siege. Rosamund was immediately promoted for his conduct. He received a commission and was appointed Ensign on 16th April 1858.
Rosamund remained in India following the Mutiny and received his VC sometime during 1859. He would become Barrack Master at Barrackspore and Dundurn in 1863, and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1864. He was then transferred to Barrack Master at Fort William, Calcutta in 1865.
Rosamund died on the 14th July 1866 in the Red Sea, and was buried at sea. His Victoria Cross was sold in London at auction on 25th November 1903 for £54. It is currently in private hands.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NOT PUBLICLY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: BURIED AT SEA.
