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Revision as of 06:10, 10 February 2009 by Ohconfucius (talk | contribs) (→Victoria Cross: bots will not disturb dates which have nbsp)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Eustace Jotham VC (28 November 1883- 7 January, 1915) was an English 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.
Victoria Cross
Born in Kidderminster in 1883, Jotham attended Bromsgrove School 1899-1901, leaving at the age of 18 to attend the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the 1st battalion The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire) Regiment as a second lieutenant on 22 April 1903 and then transferred to the 2nd battalion, embarking for a tour of duty in India.
In 1903 Jotham sailed to India with the North Staffords and served with them until 1905 when he was seconded for service with the Indian Army on 23 June and promoted to lieutenant in the 102nd Prince of Wales's Own Grenadiers on 22 July. By 1908 he had joined the 51st Sikhs and is listed in the records as a 'double company officer', he was promoted captain on 22 April 1912. The whole of his career was spent in India, punctuated by periods of home leave.
He was 31 years old, when during the First World War the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. The citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 23 July 1915 (dated 23 July 1915):
For most conspicuous bravery on 7th January, 1915, at Spina Khaisora (Tochi Valley). During operations against the Khostwal tribesmen, Captain Jotham, who was commanding a party of about a dozen of the North Waziristan Militia, was attacked in a nullah and almost surrounded by an overwhelming force of some 1,500 tribesmen. He gave the order to retire, and could have himself escaped, but most gallantly sacrificed his own life by attempting to effect the rescue of one of his men who had lost his horse.
He was buried in the Miranshar Cemetery, North Waziristan, and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate)."Commonwealth War Graves Commission — casualty details". CWGC. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
References
- "No. 27545". The London Gazette. 21 April 1903.
{{cite magazine}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "No. 27864". The London Gazette. 15 December 1905.
{{cite magazine}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "No. 28611". The London Gazette. 24 May 1912.
{{cite magazine}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "No. 29240". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 23 July 1915.{{cite magazine}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)