THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO COLONEL JOHN WOOD, 20TH REGIMENT OF BOMBAY NATIVE INFANTRY, IS BELIEVED TO BE IN THE POSSESSION OF THE 2 RAJPUTANA RIFLES IN INDIA.
15 February 2010


Medal entitlement of Colonel John Wood,
20th Bombay Native Infantry

  • Victoria Cross
  • India General Service Medal ( 1854-95 )
    • 1 clasp:
    • "Persia"


On Friday, 26th June 2009, a prestigious artefact was displayed at the Quarter Guard of the headquarters of the 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles in New Delhi, India.

The item in question was the Victoria Cross awarded to Colonel John Augustus Wood of the Grenadier Company of the 20th Bombay Native Infantry, who was awarded his Cross for gallant action during the conflict in Persia in 1856.

Commanding Officer of 2 Rajputana Rifles, Colonel Akash Kaushik said "the Victoria Cross is an honour bestowed for any military officer and the regiment is proud to have received the medal. The medal holds a historical value and adds to the glory of the regiment. The Rajputana Rifles is the first army regiment to have won a Victoria Cross".

The 20th Bombay N.I. was also known as the 120th Rajputana Infantry and after Army reorganisation in 1921 became the 2nd Rajputana Rifles the senior regiment in the Indian Army.


For the award of the Victoria Cross:

[ London Gazette, 3 August 1860 ], Bushire, Persia, 9 December 1856, Captain John Augustus Wood, 20th Bombay Native Infantry ( 2 Rajputana Rifles ).

On the 9th December 1856, Captain Wood led the Grenadier Company, which formed the head of the assaulting column sent against Bushire.

He was the first man on the parapet of the fort, where he was instantly attacked by a large number of the garrison, who suddenly sprang on him from a trench cut in the parapet itself. These men fired a volley at Captain Wood and the head of the storming party, when only a yard or two distant from that Officer; but although Captain Wood was struck by no less than seven musket balls, he at once threw himself upon the enemy, passed his sword through the body of their leader, and, being closely followed by the men of his company, speedily overcame all opposition, and established himself in the place.

Captain Wood’s decision, energy, and determined valour, undoubtedly contributed in a high degree to the success of the attack. His wounds compelled him to leave the force for a time; but, with the true spirit of a good soldier, he rejoined his regiment, and returned to his duty at Bushire before the wounds were properly healed.

Owing to an error in General Outram's despatch the London Gazette citation quotes 'Bushire' when in fact the action took place at 'Reshire' five miles away.

John Wood was invested with his Victoria Cross in Dacca, India, in January 1861.


John Wood left the Indian Army as a Brevet Colonel on 12th February 1870 and died on 23rd January 1878 at Poona from "concussion of the brain". He was buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Poona, with a headstone.

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Iain Stewart, 15 February 2010