In March 1891, during a revolt in the eastern Indian State of Manipur, James Wallace Quinton, the resident Frank Grimwood and other British officers were murdered,[2] while others were imprisoned.

Lieutenant CJW Grant of the Madras Staff Corps with a detachment of eighty Punjabi and Gurkha soldiers was stationed at the border post of Tamu, some 55 miles from Manipur.

Eighty men had defied the entire army of a state for more than a week, losing just one man killed and four wounded, including Lieutenant Grant.

For his conspicuous bravery, inspirational leadership and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Charles Grant was awarded the Victoria Cross.

[3] His citation in the London Gazette reads: For the conspicuous bravery and devotion to his country displayed by him in having, upon hearing on the 27th March, 1891, of the disaster at Manipur, at once volunteered to attempt the relief of the British Captives, with 80 Native Soldiers, and having advanced with the greatest intrepidity, captured Thobal, near Manipur, and held it against a large force of the enemy.