Private Robert Newell was born in Seaham, County Durham in 1835. He was only 22 when he earned the Victoria Cross at Lucknow. The regimental history says that two squadrons of the 9th Lancers were engaged on 19 March 1858 in dislodging the rebels from Moosa Bagh, where they had congregated after the fall of Lucknow. Sir James Outram, who was commanding the division which they were supporting, stated: ‘The conduct of the officers and men of the 9th was most gallant, as they undauntedly charged masses of the enemy.’ TSM Rushe and Private Newell so distinguished themselves by attacking and cutting up a party of the enemy infantry.
Hope Grant’s despatch of 8 April 1858 recommended Newell for the VC: ‘For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow on the 19th of March 1858, in going to the assistance of a comrade whose horse had fallen on bad ground, and bringing him away, under heavy fire of musketry from a large body of the enemy. The citation was gazetted on 24 Dec 1858 but Newell was dead by that time. He died of dysentery at Umballa on 11 July 1858 and buried in an unmarked grave. His widow received his medal by post and is now displayed at the Imperial War Museum as part of the Lord Ashcroft Collection.
