Major Charles Craufurd Fraser (7th Queen’s Own Hussars) Date of Act of Bravery, 31st December 1858.
London Gazette citation: For conspicuous and cool gallantry, on the 31st December 1858, in having volunteered, at great personal risk, and under a sharp fire of musketry, to swim to the rescue of Captain Sisted, and some men of the 7th Hussars, who were in imminent danger of being drowned in the River Raptee, while in pursuit of the rebels.
Major Fraser succeeded in this gallant service, although at the time partially disabled, not having recovered from a severe wound received while leading a Squadron in a charge against some fanatics, in the Action of Nawabgunge, on the 13th June 1858.
This contemporary drawing by Lieut-General H Hope Crealock depicts the actions of the 3rd and 4th squadrons of the 7th Hussars on 29th Dec 1858 when they ill-advisedly charged into the River Raptee to catch and kill the rebels they had pursued over such a distance.
On the left of the picture is Lieut Stewart firing his pistol at a large sowar who lifts his talwar over his head. Behind them is Captain Sisted about to be pushed under the water by his rearing horse. Lieut-Colonel Sir William Russell is in the lower right-hand corner with his hand raised shouting “Steady, men, steady!”
