James Leith
Lieutenant, 14th Light Dragoons
- Register No.
- 734 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 14th Light Dragoons all 14th Light Dragoons VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 April 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 24th December, 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Born
- 26th May, 1826 at Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Died
- 13th May, 1869 at 35, Gloucester Place, Hyde Park , London,
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
At Betwa, India, on 1st April 1858, when a Captain Need, of his regiment, was surrounded by a large number of rebel infantry, Lieutenant Leith charged alone and rescued him
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
LEITH, James. (reg No. 734).
Lieutenant. 14th Light Dragoons *.
London Gazetted on 24th December, 1858.
Born on 26th May, 1826 at Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Died on 13th May, 1869 at 35, Gloucester Place, Hyde Park , London, aged 42.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: At Betwa, India, on 1st April 1858, when a Captain Need, of his regiment, was surrounded by a large number of rebel infantry, Lieutenant Leith charged alone and rescued him.
*The King's 14th Hussars.
Additional information:. Major Leith was the son of General Sir Alexander Leith KCB of Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire. He joined the 14th Light Dragoons on the 4th May, 1849, becoming a lieutenant on the 27th May, 1853. Served in the Persian Expedition of 1857 (Medal). He took part in the suppression of the Mutiny at Aurungabad, was at the siege and capture of Dhal and was wounded in the action at Mundesore. He was also in the Battle of Gooravia and at the Relief of Neemuch. He saw service with the Central India Field Force under Sir Hugh Rose. He was present at Rathghur during its siege and capture, and also the Relief of Saugor, the capture of Gurrakota and many more. Further information can be Gleaned from "The Victoria Cross 1856-1920"(Hayward).
Additional information
Major Leith was the son of General Sir Alexander Leith KCB of Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire. He joined the 14th Light Dragoons on the 4th May, 1849, becoming a lieutenant on the 27th May, 1853. Served in the Persian Expedition of 1857 (Medal). He took part in the suppression of the Mutiny at Aurungabad, was at the siege and capture of Dhal and was wounded in the action at Mundesore. He was also in the Battle of Gooravia and at the Relief of Neemuch. He saw service with the Central India Field Force under Sir Hugh Rose. He was present at Rathghur during its siege and capture, and also the Relief of Saugor, the capture of Gurrakota and many more. Further information can be Gleaned from "The Victoria Cross 1856-1920"(Hayward).
*The King's 14th Hussars.
aged 42.
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Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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