In December 1854 he sailed to the Crimea and took part in the Siege of Sebastopol and the assaults on Redan on 18 June and 8 September 1855.

[6] He was 39 years old, and a lieutenant in the 93rd Regiment of Foot (later Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders[7] - Princess Louise's), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the VC.

For distinguished personal bravery in killing eleven of the enemy with his own hand in the main breach of the Begum Bagh at Lucknow, on the 11th March, 1858.

[9] He died at Shooter's Hill in London on 22 June 1878 but was buried with his wife, Victoria Beveridge (d.1871) and infant son, Henry Gordon Victor McBean, in Grange Cemetery in south Edinburgh.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum in Stirling Castle, Scotland.