George Willoughby ( soldier ) George Dobson Percival Willoughby ( 23 Nov 1828 - 12 May 1857 ) was a British soldier who served as a lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery of the East India Company , known for blowing up the powder magazine at Delhi during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 to prevent it from falling into the hands of the mutineers . Early life . Willoughby was born in Bath , the son of Harriet Susan ( " nee " Boys ) and George Thomas Railton Willoughby . His mother , the daughter of a naval officer , was principal of a seminary for young ladies who she instructed in her home in Camden Place . He was educated privately by the Reverend W . Williams and later at Addiscombe Military Seminary . Military service . On completion of his studies Willoughby was commissioned into the Bengal Field Artillery in 1846 . Little is known of him between then and May 1857 . In 1857 he was stationed in Delhi with the rank of lieutenant , Commissary of Ordnance . This was the year that saw the start of the Indian Mutiny . The Indian Rebellion ( or " Sepoy Revolt " ) began in the evening of May 10 , 1857 at Meerut , the first station where the native troops of the Bengal Army broke out in open insurrection . They marched unhindered to Delhi arriving the following morning . Delhi was an important city with a large European community ; tt was surrounded by a high wall some six miles or so in circumference . The defences were manned by Indian troops commanded by British officers , one of whom being George Willoughby , who was in charge of the arsenal , known as the Great Magazine . The Joint - Magistrate of Delhi , Sir Thomas Metcalfe , 4th Baronet lived outside the city at Metcalfe House beside the Jumna . It was he who informed Willoughby who was on duty at the Magazine , that the Meerut mutineers were streaming across the river . Willoughby wasted no time and took steps to defend the Magazine to prevent it falling into the mutineers ' hands . He ordered the outer gates closed and barricaded ; guns were brought out , loaded with double charges of grapeshot and positioned within the gates . Under Willoughby ' s command were two Lieutenants , Forrest and Raynor , six Conductors ( Warrant Officers ) and two sergeants . Six pounder guns were stood ready to fire on the enemy should they break into the enclosure . A train of gunpowder was then laid from the foot of a large lime tree to the Magazine in order to destroy it should the need arise . Conductor Scully was stationed by the tree with orders to ignite the powder when Conductor Buckley gave him the signal by raising his hat . Lieutenant Forrest later described the preparations as follows : The King of Delhi , Bahadur Shah II , sent several messengers to Willoughby ordering the surrender of the Magazine , but no answer was forthcoming . Scaling ladders were put to use by the enemy and they began to swarm over the walls , whereupon the Indian troops revolted and joined the mutineers . Rounds of grapeshot were fired into the advancing troops but they continued to attack . The Englishmen remained steadfast until all their ammunition was exhausted and two of their comrades wounded . For about five hours the nine British soldiers defended their fortress . Willoughby had vainly hoped that help was on its way from Meerut . None came . Willoughby gave the order to ignite the train of gunpowder , Buckley signalled to Scully who obeyed immediately . Within seconds there was a tremendous explosion and the Magazine was destroyed killing hundreds of mutineers . In the ensuing confusion four of the defenders , Willoughby , Forrest , Raynor and Buckley although badly shaken and not expecting to be alive , managed to make good their escape . Sub - Conductor Crow and Sergeant Edwards had fallen at their gun . Scully had been so badly wounded that he was unable to move . George Willoughby was murdered the following day , it is said , by the inhabitants of a village near the Hindon river . Recognition . The following official account of the capture of the Delhi Magazine by the mutineers was published in the Calcutta Government Guide : In 1888 a memorial was erected at Delhi : In 1857 the Victoria Cross was only awarded to living recipients . The survivors of this action were thus honoured , Raynor , Buckley and Forrest ; Willoughby did not receive the Victoria Cross because of his death a day later at the hand of villagers . In recognition of his gallantry Susan Willoughby was awarded a Civil List pension of £150 . 00 per annum for the rest of her life .