James Edward Tait

James Edward Tait
Born	27 March 1888 Dumfries, Scotland
Died	11 August 1918 Amiens, France
Buried at	Fouquescourt British Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom Canada
Service/branch	Canadian Expeditionary Force
Years of service	1916 - 1918
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	Imperial Yeomanry 78th Battalion, CEF
Battles/wars	World War I †
Awards	Victoria Cross Military Cross

James Edward Tait VC MC (27 May 1888 – 11 August 1918), was a Scottish/Canadian 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.

James Tait's Victoria Cross at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary

Background

Tait was born on 27 May 1888 in Maxwelltown (Dumfries),^[1] Scotland to James Bryden Tait and Mary Johnstone. He married Jessie Spiers Aitken from California.^[2] He joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in February 1916.

World War I

Tait was 30 years old, and a lieutenant in the 78th (Winnipeg Grenadiers) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, during the First World War. He died in action on 11 August 1918 in Amiens, France. He was awarded the VC for his actions.

VC citation

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. The advance having been checked by intense machine-gun fire, Lt. Tait rallied his company and led it forward with consummate skill and dash under a hail of bullets. A concealed machine gun, however, continued to cause many casualties. Taking a rifle and bayonet, Lt. Tait dashed forward alone and killed the enemy gunner. Inspired by his example his men rushed the position, capturing twelve machine guns and twenty prisoners. His valorous action cleared the way for his battalion to advance. Later, when the enemy counter-attacked our positions under intense artillery bombardment, this gallant officer displayed outstanding courage and leadership, and, though mortally wounded by a shell, continued to aid and direct his men until his death.

— The London Gazette, 24 September 1918^[3]

Tait is buried at Fouquescourt British Cemetery which is located 16 miles south of Albert, France (special memorial, grave 8).^[2] His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

References

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

External links

• JAMES EDWARD TAIT (service/personal details, photograph, citation, relevant documents, burial information)
• Legion Magazine