Early Life & Enlistment
Claud Thomas Bourchier was born in Brayford, Devon, on 22nd April 1831. The son of a serving officer, he followed his father into the Army and received his first commission at the age of 18 in The Rifle Brigade. By his early twenties he had already seen active service, and at 23 he was serving as a lieutenant with the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) during the Crimean War.
Gallantry at Sebastapol
On the night of 20th November 1854, during the siege of Sebastopol in the Crimean War, Lieutenant Bourchier took part in a dangerous operation alongside fellow Lieutenant William Montgomery-Cuninghame. Their party was ordered to seize a series of Russian rifle pits that dominated the British positions.
Advancing after dark, a surprise assault was launched that succeeded in driving the Russian riflemen from their cover. In the heavy fighting that followed, the officer commanding the detachment was killed. Despite this, Bourchier and Montgomery-Cuninghame held their ground, beating back repeated counterattacks throughout the night and maintaining control of the position until relieved the next day.
Recognition and Later Service
For his actions at Sebastopol, Bourchier received the brevet rank of Major. His Victoria Cross was announced in the London Gazette on 24 February 1857.
Bourchier was present at the first VC investiture held at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857, where Queen Victoria personally presented him with the medal. His full citation read:
![“His small stature, boyish appearance, cheerful disposition, and ready Yorkshire humour made him a general favourite... [he] continued to the end of his days to display those qualities of fortitude and courage friends had learned to expect from him.”](https://riflemansmuseum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Bourchier_Citation.png "Bourchier_Citation")
In addition to his Victoria Cross, Bourchier earned a series of honours during the Crimean war: the Crimean Medal with four clasps, the Legion of Honour, the 5th Class of the Order of the Medjidie, and the Turkish Medal.
Following the Crimean War, Bourchier served during the Indian Mutiny, taking part in the Siege and Capture of Lucknow, the Battle of Nawab-gunge, and the attack and capture of Fort Oomerea, for which he received the Indian Mutiny Medal and clasp. He later saw further service on the Afghan frontier.
Final Years
In 1869, Bourchier was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria. After retiring from the Army that same year, he settled on the south coast of England. He died at his home in Norfolk on 19th November 1877, aged only 46.
