Sir William Montgomery-Cuninghame, 9th Baronet

Sir William James Montgomery-Cuninghame, 9th Baronet VC (20 May 1834 – 11 November 1897) was a Scottish soldier, politician and Victoria Cross recipient.

Crimean War

Montgomery-Cuninghame served in the Crimean War as a Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own). On 20 November 1854 at Sebastopol, the Crimea, he, with another lieutenant (Claud Thomas Bourchier) was with a party detailed to drive the Russians from some rifle pits. Advancing on the pits after dark they launched a surprise attack and drove the Russian riflemen from their cover, but in the fierce fighting which ensued the officer in command of the party was killed. The two lieutenants, however, maintained their advantage, withstood all attacks from the enemy during the night and held the position until relieved next day. For their actions they were subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross.

Montgomery-Cuninghame later achieved the rank of Colonel.

Political career

Montgomery-Cuninghame sat as Member of Parliament for Ayr Burghs from 1874 to 1880. He died in November 1897, aged 63. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester, England.

References

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

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Strathclyde)
• Find-A-Grave profile for William James Montgomery Cuninghame
• Biography