27 FEBRUARY 1915, Page 14

THE " V.C."

[To TDB EDITOR, or ens SPECTATOR."] SIE,—The late Sir Charles Gough bad no bar to his Cross. He was gazetted once, on October 21st, 1859, for services ren- dered on four different occasions. Lieutenant Martin Leake has been gazetted twice. During the Indian Mutiny the Cross was frequently given for services on several occasions, the most prominent case being that of Colonel Aikman, of the 13th Bengal Infantry, who was gazetted on April 16th, 1863, for services rendered on five different dates. The delay in giving the Cross, common in those days, enabled the authorities to give more than one reason. The dates of the acts of bravery of Sir Charles Gough were August 15th and 18th, 1857, January 27th and February 23rd, 1858. It took the authorities a good many months to make up their minds.

—I am, Sir, Re., ROBERT RAYNER 1.3 Hollingbourne Road, SE.