Edward Pemberton Leach

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Photo submitted by Gerald Napier - (from the Royal Engineers Library with permission)

Sir Edward Pemberton Leach VC KCB KCVO, born Derry 2 April 1847 was an Irish 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. Sir Edward was educated at Highgate School.

[edit] Details

He was 31 years old, and a captain in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the Second Afghan War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 17 March 1879 near Maidanah, Afghanistan, Captain Leach, with some men of the 45th Sikhs, was covering the retirement of the Survey Escort who were carrying a mortally wounded lieutenant. The captain charged with his small band a very large number of the enemy and in the encounter he killed two or three himself while receiving a severe wound in his left arm. His action saved the whole party from annihilation.

[edit] Further information

Later Sir Edward achieved the rank of general. He died in Caddenabbia, Lake Como, Italy, 27 April 1913.^[1]

[edit] The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum (Chatham, England).

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Who's Who 1914 has his date of death as Apr. 26

[edit] References

Listed in order of publication year

• The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
• The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
• Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
• The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

[edit] External links

• Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs