Frederick Hitch War, aged 22, he fought at the Battle of Rorke's Drift (22–23 January 1879), and was awarded the VC for his actions. The citation was published in the "London Gazette": The soldiers were assisted in passing out ammunition by Padre George Smith. Hitch was severely wounded during the action, and was still in the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley, Southampton when he received his medal from Queen Victoria. He was one of the eleven recipients of the VC awarded for their part in the battle. Hitch's wounds were so severe that they led to his discharge from service. He then
90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers) 1854 and saw action at the Siege of Sevastopol in winter 1854. The regiment returned to England in June 1856 but then embarked for India in February 1857 to help suppress the Indian Rebellion. It took part in the relief of Lucknow in November 1857, an action which saw members of the regiment awarded six Victoria Crosses. The regiment embarked for home in September 1869. The regiment embarked for the Cape Colony in January 1878 and fought in the Ninth Xhosa War later that year. It also saw action at the Battle of Kambula in March 1879 and the Battle