The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)

'Sans Peur'       Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders red and white dicing       'Ne Obliviscaris'

PATON, John

93rd Regiment, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Victoria Cross proposed by the Regiment and awarded 16 November 1857


The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.


The Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross
"for valour"

Name PATON, John
Rank Sergeant
Service 93rd Regiment, The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Theatre where VC won Secundra Bagh, Lucknow, Indian Mutiny, 16 November 1857
Recorded in London Gazzette 24 December 1858
Place & Date of Birth Stirling, Scotland, 23 December 1833
Place & Date of Death Sydney, Australia, 1 April 1914
Burial Ground Rookwood Cemetery, West Sydney, Australia
Current Location of VC Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling Castle

Scene of Action

Secundra Bagh is a villa and country estate on the outskirts of Lucknow, India. It was built as a summer house for the nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah. The estate was named after the nawab's favourite wife, Begum Sikander Mahal.

During the siege of Lucknow in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, Secundra Bagh was used as a refuge by hundreds of sepoys who were under siege by British and colonial troops. The villa was breached on 16 November 1857 and 2000 sepoys were killed by British troops.

On 16 November 1857 at Lucknow, India, 23 year old Sergeant Paton went alone round the Shah Nujjiff and under extremely heavy fire discovered a breach in the opposite side. He afterwards led the Regiment to this breach and the important position was taken.


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