3-052-360 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Commandant Cecil D'Arcy, V.C., Frontier Light Horse, Zulu War, 1880. Portrait of '...a gallant officer of Colonial Volunteers...Cecil D'Arcy...was born in 1851, at Wanganui, New Zealand. He formerly held an appointment in the Colonial Civil Service...Throughout the Zulu War, he served with remarkable activity and bravery, and was twice recommended by his commanding officers for the Victoria Cross. The first occasion was when, in the retreat from the Inlobane or Zlobane mountain, on March 28, he gave up his horse to save the life of a wounded trooper, being then hotly pursued by large numbers of the enemy. His own life, thereby endangered, was saved immediately afterwards by Colonel Buller, who took up Lieutenant D'Arcy on his horse behind him. Again, on July 3, [at] the battle of Ulundi, D'Arcy with his troop was retiring from a reconnaissance, when one of the men, named Traubenheim, was thrown from his horse. Commandant D'Arcy took up this man behind him; the horse "bucked," and they were both thrown off. Though D'Arcy was much hurt, he endeavoured to put the man on again, and only desisted when the enemy got within a few yards of them. For these acts of personal gallantry her Majesty has bestowed on him the Victoria Cross of Valour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.