James Morris Colquhoun Colvin James Morris Colquhoun Colvin VC ( 26 August 1870 – 7 December 1945 ) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces . Early life . Colvin was born in Bijnor , United Provinces , British India . His father was James Colquhoun Colvin of the Manor House , Sutton Veny , Wiltshire , and his mother was Camilla Fanny Marie Morris , eldest daughter of the Rev . Edward Morris . His father served with the Bengal Civil Service and was awarded the India Mutiny medal for his role in the defence of the House of Arrah . Their extended family was long established in the British East Indies as soldiers and administrators , and included Sir John Russell Colvin , Lieutenant - Governor of the North - West Provinces during the Indian Mutiny , his sons Sir Auckland , K . C . S . I . and Sir Elliot Graham , K . C . S . I . , as well as their cousin , the writer and curator Sir Sidney Colvin . Military service . He was educated at Charterhouse and the Royal Military Academy , Woolwich . He was awarded the Pollock Gold Medal and Memoir as a Cadet Senior Under Officer for distinguished proficiency ; the Regulation Sword for exemplary conduct ; a travelling clock , aneroid barometer , thermometer and compass for maths and mechanics . These awards were presented to him by H . R . H . the Duke of Cambridge after his inspection of cadets at RMA Woolwich , on 26 July 1889 . Colvin joined the Royal Engineers on 27 July 1889 and served in the Chitral Relief Force in 1895 with the 4th Company , Bengal Sappers and Miners . Mohmand Campaign . Colvin was 27 years old , and a lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers , British Army during the Mohmand Campaign , India when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC . On the night of 16 / 17 September 1897 , in the Mohmand Valley , North West British India , Lieutenant Colvin was with Lieutenant Thomas Colclough Watson who collected a party of volunteers and led them into the dark and burning village of Bilot , to try to dislodge the enemy who were inflicting losses on British Army troops . When his brother officer had been incapacitated by wounds , Lieutenant Colvin continued the fight and made two more attempts to clear the enemy from the village . He was conspicuous during the whole night for his devotion to his men , in the most exposed positions and under very heavy fire . See also James Smith The award of the Victoria Cross was published in the London Gazette on 20 May 1898 . The citation read ; Later service . Colvin served with the Malakand Field Force , 1897 – 98 , where he took part in operations in Bajaur , the Mohmand Country and in Bruner ( mentioned - in - Despatches L . G . 11 January 1898 ) . He later served in South Africa 1901 - 02 during the Second Boer War as Special Service Officer . In May 1901 he was appointed an Aide - de - camp to Lieutenant - General Sir Bindon Blood , who was stationed in eastern Transvaal . He was again mentioned - in - Despatches ( L . G . 22 August 1902 ) , received the Brevet promotion to Major and his name was noted as qualified for Staff employment . Orders and medals . Colvin married Katharine , youngest daughter of Colonel George Augustus Way , CB and they had three children : Death details . James Colvin died at Stanway , near Colchester on 7 December 1945 , aged 75 . He was cremated at Ipswich Crematorium on 11 December , and his ashes scattered in the Old Garden of Rest .