Euston Sartorius


Euston Henry Sartorius was a 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. His brother Reginald was also awarded the VC.

Details

Sartorius was 35 years old, and a captain in the 59th Regiment of Foot, British Army, during the Second Anglo-Afghan War when the following deed took place on 24 October 1879 at Shahjui, Afghanistan for which he was awarded the VC:

Further information

His father was Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Rose Sartorius and his brother was Major General Reginald William Sartorius VC. Educated at Victoria College, Jersey; one of the school's five Houses was later named after the brothers. He succeeded his father as Count of Penhafirme in the Portuguese nobility, and was confirmed in the title by King Carlos I on 20 June 1903. On 22 December 1874 he married Emily Jane, daughter of Sir Francis Cook, 1st Viscount of Monserrate; their son Euston Francis Frederick Sartorius was born in 1882 and served in the Grenadier Guards.
He also served in the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War and was mentioned in despatches. He later was appointed as Military Attache in Japan. He was awarded the Bronze Medal of the Royal Humane Society for saving the lives of three girls from drowning at Broadstairs on 29 June 1869.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, London.