The Victoria Cross

Private WASSALL

80th Regiment

For his gallant conduct in having, at the imminent risk of his own life, saved that of Private Westwood, of the same regiment.

On the 22nd January, 1879, when the Camp at Isandhlwana was taken by the enemy, Private Wassall retreated towards the Buffalo River, in which he saw a comrade struggling, and apparently drowning. He rode to the bank, dismounted, leaving his horse on the Zulu side, rescued the man from the stream, and again mounted his horse, dragging Private Westwood across the river under a heavy shower of Bullets.

Award published in The London Gazette dated 17th June, 1879.