Brevet Major William Stephen Raikes Hodson (10 March 1821 – 11 March 1858) was the British leader of irregular light cavalry during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was known as "Hodson of Hodson's Horse."
Hodson is credited with being jointly responsible for the introduction of the khaki uniform. His most notable action was to apprehend and safely return the Emperor of India. The following day he rode to the enemy camp, heavily outnumbered and d...
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Brevet Major William Stephen Raikes Hodson (10 March 1821 – 11 March 1858) was the British leader of irregular light cavalry during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He was known as "Hodson of Hodson's Horse."
Hodson is credited with being jointly responsible for the introduction of the khaki uniform. His most notable action was to apprehend and safely return the Emperor of India. The following day he rode to the enemy camp, heavily outnumbered and demanded the surrender of the Moghul princes who were leading the rebellion around Delhi and killed them.
In explanation of the fact that he never received the Victoria Cross it was said of him “that it was because he earned it every day of his life”.
William Hodson was born on 9 March 1821 at Maisemore Court, near Gloucester, third son of the Rev. George Hodson. He was educated at Rugby School under Dr. Arnold and Trinity College, Cambridge. He accepted a cadetship in the Indian Army at the age of twenty-three; joining the 2nd Bengal...
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