Photograph of Col James Travers VC, 2nd Bengal Native Infantry and Bhopal Levies, 1880 (c).
Travers was a Colonel in the 2nd Bengal Native Infantry during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) when he was awarded the Victoria Cross. In July 1857 the enemy attacked the Presidency at Indore. Col Travers charged the guns with only five men to support him. He consequently drove the gunners from their guns and created a diversion which allowed many of the Europeans, who had sought refuge in the Presidency, to escape from slaughter. Time was also gained for the Bhopal Infantry to man their own guns.