[2] The award was announced on 21 October 1859, and the citation read: 5th Bengal European Cavalry, Major Charles John Stanley Gough Date of Acts of Bravery, 15th and 18th August, 1857, and 27th January, and 23rd February, 1858 First, for gallantry in an affair at Khurkowdah, near Rhotuck, on the 15 August 1857, while serving with Hodson's Horse, in which he saved his brother, who was wounded, and killed two of the Enemy.

Thirdly, for gallantly on 27 January 1858, at Shumshabad, where, in a charge, he attacked one of the Enemy's leaders and pierced him with his sword, which was carried out of his hand in the melee.

Fourthly, for gallantry on 23 February, at Meangunge, where he came to the assistance of Brevet-Major O. H. St. George Anson, and killed his opponent, immediately afterwards cutting down another of the Enemy in the same gallant manner.

[1] On the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Afghan War in November 1878, Gough was appointed a brigade commander in the Peshawar Valley Field Force, which invaded Afghanistan via the Khyber Pass.

[1] In April 1894 Gough achieved the rank of general,[4] and in 1895 was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB),[5] retiring to Ireland the same year.