James Leith

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Major-General James Leith (born 26 May 1826 in Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire; died 13 May 1869 in Paddington, London) 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.

He 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, a captain of his regiment was surrounded by a large number of rebel infantry and Lieutenant Leith charged alone and rescued him, for which he was awarded the VC (currently displayed at the 14th/20th King's Hussars Museum, Preston, Lancashire).

[edit] References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

[edit] External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Grampian)