Lieut-Col Sir John Peniston Milbanke Bt VC


John Peniston Milbanke was born on 9 Oct 1872, the son of Sir Peniston Milbanke 9th Baronet and Elizabeth Margaret Denmam. He was educated at Harrow where he was a friend of Winston Churchill. He was commissioned into the 10th Hussars as a 2nd Lieutenant on 23 Nov 1892, lieutenant 18 Apr 1894. He inherited the title to become 10th Baronet in 1899. Promoted to captain 17 Apr 1900, major 7 May 1904. Sir John Milbanke served in the Boer War, appointed ADC to Lt-General French on 9 Oct 1899.

It was during the Boer War that he won the VC for his brave action on 5 Jan 1900. Lieutenant Milbanke had been badly wounded in the thigh whilst out on reconnaisance near Colesberg. They were pursued by Boers but one man was lagging behind as his horse was exhausted. They were under fire from some dismounted Boers but Milbanke noticed that the man was in trouble and went back to help him. This was a high risk decision but he managed to take the man up onto his own horse under heavy fire and brought him back to safety.

He was presented with his Victoria Cross on 15 Dec 1900 by Queen Victoria herself at Windsor Castle. He retired from the army in 1910 but re-enlisted when war broke out in 1914. He was appointed CO of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. They were sent to Egypt in April 1915 and were part of the force sent to Gallipoli. He was killed at Suvla Bay but his body was not recovered. His death occurred on 21 Aug 1915. There is a Helles Memorial at Gallipoli where he is commemorated.

He was married to Amelia Madeline Louisa Crichton on 6 Dec 1901. She was the daughter of Colonel the Hon Charle Crichton. They had two sons, John born in 1902 and Ralph born in 1907. The photo is of Sir John Milbanke as a major c1905 in the dress uniform of the 10th Hussars wearing his VC and South Africa medals.


Regimental Details | Soldiers


Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames


by Stephen Luscombe