b. 20/01/1829 Glasgow, Scotland. d. 11/12/1890 Sherborne, Dorset.
Andrew Cathcart Bogle (1829-1890) was born on 20th January 1829 in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Archibald Bogle who lived in Gilmore Hill in the city. He was educated at Cheltenham College, where he was Head of the Modern Side in June 1847, and was a keen cricketer, playing for the first XI between 1845-47.
Andrew C Bogle VC
He entered the 78th Regiment of Foot (later Seaforth Highlanders) as an Ensign on 28th December 1849, and was transferred to the main Regiment in 1850. On 18th March 1853, he was promoted to Lieutenant. He served in the Persian War of 1856-57, including the bombardment of Mohumurah. For his services in this campaign he was awarded the Persian Medal with clasp. Soon after the end of the Persian conflict, he joined Havelock’s Column in the Bengal at the beginning of the Indian Mutiny.
He took part in the actions at Futtehpore, Aoung, Paradoo-Nuddee, Cawnpore, Oonao and Buseerut. He was present at Cawnpore under Windham when attacked by the Gwalior mutineers; served as Adjutant to the Regiment in the force under Sir James Outram at Alumbagh, including the repulse of the numerous enemy attacks, and also in the operations ending in the final capture of Lucknow. It was the action at Oonao on the 29th July 1857 was the one which would eventually lead to the award of the Victoria Cross (London Gazette, 2nd September 1859).
Lieutenant Bogle was at the front of an assault, leading the way into a loopholed housee, strongly occupied by the enemy, from which a heavy fire harassed the advance of the regiment. He was severely wounded in his efforts. He also received the Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp. He was promoted to Captain on 31st August 1858, and Adjutant later that year. He then transferred to the 13th Regiment of Foot, and in 1859 to the 10th Regiment of Foot. He was presented with his VC by Queen Victoria on 4th January 1860 at Windsor Castle.
He was promoted to Major on 25th April 1865, and was appointed to the 23rd Regiment of Foot in 1868, and retired from the Army later that year. Bogle retired to Dorset and lived there for over 25 years. He died on 11th December 1890 aged 61 at Sherborne House, Sherborne, Dorset. He became only the 151st person to be cremated in the UK, and his ashes were removed under the instructions of Rear Admiral Bogle on 14th February 1891, and his ashes were interred in a tomb in St Lawrence’s Churchyard, Effingham, Surrey. His medals are held by the Highlanders Regiment Museum, Fort George, Scotland.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: QUEEN’S OWN HIGHLANDERS MUSEUM, FORT GEORGE.
BURIAL PLACE: ST LAWRENCE’S CHURCHYARD, EFFINGHAM, SURREY. (ASHES INTERRED)
Acknowledgements:
Kevin Brazier – Bogle VC’s Grave
Thomas Stewart – images of Bogle’s VC group at the Queen’s Own Highlanders Museum, Fort George.