Arthur Martin-Leake
Surgeon Captain, South African Constabulary then Royal Army Medical Corps attached 5th Field Ambulance
- Register No.
- 727 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Surgeon Captain (register: Surgeon Captain Lieutenant) all Surgeons →
- Unit
- South African Constabulary then Royal Army Medical Corps attached 5th Field Ambulance (register: South African Constabulary; Royal Army Medical Corps) all South African Constabulary; Royal Army Medical Corps VCs →
- Date of action
- 8 February 1902; 29 October 1914 to 8 November 1914 on this day → all of 1902 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second Boer War; First World War
- London Gazette
- 13th May 1902, the Bar being Gazetted 18th on this day → all of 1902 →
- Born
- 4th April 1874 at Standen, Ware, Hertfordshire
- Died
- 22nd June 1953 at Ware, Hertfordshire
- Bar
- Awarded the Victoria Cross twice the three VC & Bar holders →
- Memorial / grave
- on his grave in High Cross Churchyard, Ware, and on a plaque in St Mary's Church, High Cross, Ware, Hertfordshire
Digest of citation
On 8th February 1902 at Vlakfontein, South Africa, Surgeon Captain Martin-Leake went within 100 yards, under a very heavy enemy fire, to apply dressings to a wounded man. He was then shot whilst attending to a wounded officer. He would not give up until he was thoroughly exhausted and other wounded men had been attended to. Between the period, 29th October to 8th November 1914, near Zonnebeke, Belgium, Lieutenant Martin-Leake rescued a large number of wounded men who were lying within close proximity to the enemy trenches. He showed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in performing these actions whilst exposed to extremely heavy enemy fire
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MARTIN-LEAKE, Arthur. (reg No. 727).
Surgeon Captain. South African Constabulary then Royal Army Medical Corps attached 5th Field Ambulance.
London Gazetted on 13th May 1902, the Bar being Gazetted 18th February, 1915.
Born on 4th April 1874 at Standen, Ware, Hertfordshire.
Died on 22nd June 1953 at Ware, Hertfordshire.
Memorial on his grave in High Cross Churchyard, Ware, and on a plaque in St Mary's Church, High Cross, Ware, Hertfordshire.
Digest of Citation reads: On 8th February 1902 at Vlakfontein, South Africa, Surgeon Captain Martin-Leake went within 100 yards, under a very heavy enemy fire, to apply dressings to a wounded man. He was then shot whilst attending to a wounded officer. He would not give up until he was thoroughly exhausted and other wounded men had been attended to.
Digest of Citation for Bar to VC reads: Between the period, 29th October to 8th November 1914, near Zonnebeke, Belgium, Lieutenant Martin-Leake rescued a large number of wounded men who were lying within close proximity to the enemy trenches. He showed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in performing these actions whilst exposed to extremely heavy enemy fire.
Additional information to be added.
February, 1915.
Register note: Bar to the Victoria Cross; second award was for an extended period of action
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on his grave in High Cross Churchyard, Ware, and on a plaque in St Mary's Church, High Cross, Ware, Hertfordshire
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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