Lieutenant General Sir James Hills-Johnes VC, GCB

James Hills, VC, GCB, was an Welsh 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.

He was a Second Lieutenant in the Bengal Horse Artillery, Indian Army, during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

"On 9 July 1857, at the siege of Delhi, India, Second Lieutenant Hills most gallantly defended the position assigned to him when attacked by enemy cavalry. Single-handed, he charged the head of the enemy's column and fought fiercely, continuing to do so on foot after he and his horse had been ridden down. He was about to be killed with his own sword, which one of the enemy had wrested from him, when his senior officer (Henry Tombs, also awarded the VC in this same action) saw what was happening and, twice, in a short space of time, came to the rescue of his subaltern.

By marrying sisters, Hills-Johnes became brother-in-law to Lieutenant W.G. Cubitt, VC.

Hills-Johnes went on to attain the rank of Lieutenant General. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum (Woolwich, England).