George Sellar

George Sellar
Born	1850 Keith, Banffshire
Died	1 November 1889 (aged 38-39) Lairg, Sutherland
Buried	Lairg Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	72nd Regiment of Foot
Battles/wars	Second Anglo-Afghan War 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War
Awards	Victoria Cross

George Sellar VC (1850 – 1 November 1889) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Sellar was approximately 39 years old, and a lance corporal in the 72nd Regiment of Foot (later The Seaforth Highlanders - Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany's), British Army during the Second Anglo-Afghan War when the following deed took place on 14 December 1879 at the Asmai Heights, near Kabul, Afghanistan for which he was awarded the VC:

For conspicuous gallantry displayed by him at the assault on the Asmai Heights, round Kabul, on the 14th December, 1879, in having in a marked manner led the attack, under a heavy fire, and, dashing on in front of the party up the slope, engaged in a desperate conflict with an Afghan who sprang out to meet him. In this encounter Lance-Corporal Sellar was severely wounded.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of sergeant. He is buried at Lairg Cemetery, Sutherland, Scotland.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Queens Own Highlanders, Fort George, Highland, Scotland.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Highland, Scotland)