James Langley Dalton
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James Langley Dalton, VC (1833 – January 7, 1887) was an English 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.
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[edit] Details
He was approximately 46 years old, and an Acting Assistant Commissary in the Commissariat and Transport Department (later Royal Army Service Corps), British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 22 January 1879, at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Acting Assistant Commissary Dalton actively superintended the work of defence and was amongst the foremost of those who received the first attack at the corner of the hospital, where the deadliness of his fire checked the mad rush of the enemy. He saved the life of a man in the Army Hospital Corps by shooting the Zulu who was attacking him. Although wounded himself this officer continued to give the same example of cool courage throughout the action.
[edit] Further information
Born in London in 1833, Dalton enlisted in 85th Regiment of Foot in November 1849 at the age of 17. In 1862 he transferred to the Commissariat Corps at the rank of Corporal, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1863, and clerk and Master-Sergeant in 1867. He served with Sir Garnet Wolseley on the Red River Expedition (Canada) in 1870, retiring from the army the next year. By 1877 he was living in South Africa and volunteered for service as Acting Assistant Commissary with the British Force.
Dalton was not originally named among the VC recipients, eventually receiving his VC from General Hugh Clifford VC at a special parade at Fort Napier on 16 January 1880. A number of accounts credit Dalton, rather than Chard or Bromhead, for initiating the defence at Rorke's Drift.
Dalton died in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He is buried in the Russell Road Roman Catholic Cemetery with a memorial, Plot E. His grave location on Google Earth 33° 57' 37" S 25° 36' 53" E.
The Barracks in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire is named 'The Dalton VC Centre' after him.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Camberley, Surrey, England.
[edit] External links
- James Langley Dalton (biography, photos, memorial details)
- Rorke's Drift (information within Frederick Hitch site)
