William James Montgomery Cuninghame
Lieutenant (later Colonel), 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
- Register No.
- 285 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant (later Colonel) (register: Lieutenant) all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) all Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) VCs →
- Date of action
- 20 November 1854 on this day → all of 1854 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Crimean War
- London Gazette
- : 24th February 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Born
- 20th May 1834 at Ayr, Scotland
- Died
- 11th November 1897 at Gunton, Suffolk
- Memorial / grave
- Kirkmichael Churchyard, Ayr, Scotland and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral
Digest of citation
On 20th November, 1854 in the Crimea, Lieutenant Cuninghame, with another Lieutenant * 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 position until relieved next day. He was a Member if Parliament for the period 1874-80 representing Ayr, Scotland
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CUNINGHAME, William James Montgomery. (reg No. 285).
Lieutenant (later Colonel) 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).
Gazetted: 24th February 1857.
Born on 20th May 1834 at Ayr, Scotland.
Died on 11th November 1897 at Gunton, Suffolk.
Memorials at Kirkmichael Churchyard, Ayr, Scotland and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads: On 20th November, 1854 in the Crimea, Lieutenant Cuninghame, with another Lieutenant * 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 position until relieved next day.
* See also C.T. Bourchier (reg No. 110). He was a Member if Parliament for the period 1874-80 representing Ayr, Scotland.
* See also C.T. Bourchier (reg No. 110).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Kirkmichael Churchyard, Ayr, Scotland and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral
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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