Charles Mullins (VC recipient)

Charles Herbert Mullins
The battle of Elandslaagte
Born	28 June 1869 Grahamstown, South Africa
Died	24 May 1916 (aged 46) Johannesburg, South Africa
Buried	Grahamstown Old Cemetery
Allegiance	Colony of Natal
Years of service	1899 - 1902
Rank	Major
Unit	Imperial Light Horse (Natal)
Battles / wars	Second Boer War
Awards	Victoria Cross Order of St Michael and St George
Other work	Barrister

Major Charles Herbert Mullins VC CMG (28 June 1869 – 24 May 1916) was a South African 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.

Details

Mullins was 30 years old, and a captain in the Imperial Light Horse (Natal) during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at the Battle of Elandslaagte for which he and Captain Robert Johnston were awarded the VC.

On the 21st October, 1899, at Elandslaagte, at a most critical moment, the advance being momentarily checked by a very severe fire at point blank range, these two Officers very gallantly rushed forward under this heavy fire and rallied the men, thus enabling the flanking movement, which decided the day, to be carried out. On this occasion Captain Mullins was wounded.

He later achieved the rank of major.

The medal was held by St. Andrews College, Grahamstown, South Africa. It was later donated to the Imperial War Museum, London.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)

External links

• Angloboerwar.com