b. 1850 Keith, Banffshire, Scotland. d. 01/11/1889 Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland.
George Sellar (1850-1889) was born in 1850 in Wellington Terrace, Fife-Keith, Scotland. In about 1869, he enlisted in the 72nd Regiment of Foot (later Seaforth Highlanders).
George Sellar VC
On 14th December, 1879, while serving in Afghanistan with the72nd Regiment during the Second Afghan War, Lance Corporal Sellar led an attack on Asmai Heights, outside Kabul. During the fierce battle he was severely wounded but his bravery had not gone unnoticed and he was awarded the Victoria Cross for displaying gallantry in the field of battle. His citation published on 18th October 1881, stated that he led the attack, under heavy fire, and dashed to the front of the party up a slope, and fought an Afghan who had come to meet him in fierce hand to hand combat.
Sellar was presented with his VC on 14th December 1881 by the GOC Oudh, Lieutenant-General Cureton in Lucknow, India. In 1881 the 72nd Regiment amalgamated with the 78th Regiment to become the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. By 1882 George had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
The Battalion was sent to Egypt during the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882 and was involved in the battle of Tel-el-Kebir. In 1887 he was appointed Sergeant Instructor of the Lairg Company of the 1st Sutherland and Caithness Highland Rifle Volunteers. Sergeant Sellar died on 1st November 1889 and was laid to rest in Lairg Cemetery in Sutherland. His Victoria Cross can be seen at the Highlanders Museum, Fort George, Ardersier.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: QUEENS OWN HIGHLANDERS, FORT GEORGE, INVERNESS-SHIRE.
BURIAL PLACE: LAIRG CEMETERY, LAIRG, SUTHERLAND, SCOTLAND.
Acknowledgement:
Thomas Stewart – Images of the Sellar VC Medal Group, and reverse of VC at Queens Own Highlanders Museum, and of his VC Stone in Keith.