James Leith (VC)
James Leith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 26 May 1826 Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire |
| Died | 13 May 1869 (aged 42) Paddington, London |
| Buried | Towie Churchyard |
| Service | British Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
| Other work | Cambridge University Cricketer |
Major James Leith VC (26 May 1826 – 13 May 1869) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Life
[edit]James Leith was the son of General Alexander Leith of Freefield and Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire and educated at Blackheath Proprietary School and Trinity College, Cambridge.[1] He played cricket for Cambridge University from 1846 to 1849.[2]
Leith was 31 years old, and a lieutenant in the 14th Light Dragoons (later 14th Hussars (The King's)), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when, on 1 April 1858 at Betwa, India, the following deed led to his being awarded the Victoria Cross:
For conspicuous bravery at Betwah, on the 1st of April, 1858, in having, charged alone, and rescued Captain Need, of the same Regiment, when surrounded by a large number of rebel Infantry. Despatch from Major-General Sir Hugh Henry Rose, G.C.B., dated 28th April, 1858.[3]
The medal is currently displayed at the 14th/20th King's Hussars gallery of the Museum of Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire.
He was appointed to the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms in 1868.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Leith, James (LT843J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- ^ Cricinfo.com
- ^ "No. 22212". The London Gazette. 24 December 1858. p. 5517.
- ^ London Gazette, 1868
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
External links
[edit]- Location of grave and VC medal (Grampian)
- 1826 births
- 1869 deaths
- People from Towie, Aberdeenshire
- People educated at Blackheath Proprietary School
- British recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Indian Rebellion of 1857 recipients of the Victoria Cross
- 14th King's Hussars officers
- Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge
- Cambridge University cricketers
- British military personnel of the Anglo-Persian War
- Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms
- Royal Scots Greys officers
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Military personnel from Aberdeenshire
- Burials in Aberdeenshire