Lt William Waller, VC

William Francis Edward Waller was born 20th August 1839 and commissioned into the 25th Bombay Native Infantry on 2nd Feb 1857. The regiment was part of Sir Hugh Rose's Central India Field Force, engaged in the most protracted campaign of all the British forces engaged in the suppression of the Mutiny.
Ensign Waller was present at the seiges of Chanderi and Jhansi in March 1858 but the heroic act that won him the VC was at the fortress of Gwalior by which time he had been promoted to Lieutenant. Tantia Topi and other rebel leaders marched with 11000 men to Gwalior in the hope of winning the Maharaja Scindia over to their side, but a battle ensued instead, resulting in it's capture. Rose moved columns in on all sides and by 19th June had regained all of Gwalior except for the formidable fortress.
Sir Hugh Rose had a relative serving as a Lieutenant in the 25th, the son of Rose of Kilvarock. Lt. Rose was in command of a detachment of his regiment not far from the main gateway to the fort. Lt. Waller was in charge of a piquet close by and was approached by Rose who had heard sounds of laughter and revelry coming from the other side of the gate. Rose proposed that they should take advantage of the apparent lack of vigilance shown by the enemy and attempt an entry into the fortress on their own. Waller cheerfully agreed and the two officers set off with their men and a blacksmith who willingly gave his services.
The two subalterns and their gallant sepoys crept up to the gate and the blacksmith, a powerful man armed with the tools of his trade, forced it open. He then did the same with the other 7 gates into the fortress. By the time the sixth gate had been forced, the alarm had been given. When the attackers had reached the archway beyond the last gate they were fired upon by a field gun. They managed to get though that but met with a determined party of rebels who engaged them in a desperate hand-to-hand fight. Our heroes won the day but Rose was shot and hacked with a sword causing his death. Waller killed the man responsible. Just then, more men arrived and the fortress was taken.
Waller was awarded the VC for his gallantry and Lt Rose would have too but there were no posthumus VCs awarded at that time. Years later, Waller was appointed to the Bombay Staff Corps and promoted to Colonel. He died in Bath 29th Jan 1885 at the age of 45 and was buried in Locksbrook cemetary, Avon.

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