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Revision as of 07:09, 4 March 2009 by Ohconfucius (talk | contribs) (reworked)(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.
He was 31 years old during the First World War, when he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Biography
Born in Kidderminster 28 November 1883, Jotham attended Bromsgrove School from 1899. In 1901, at the age of 18, he left 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.
Citation
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.
— The London Gazette, 23 July 1915
He was buried in the Miranshar Cemetery, North Waziristan, and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate).
References
- "No. 27545". The London Gazette. 21 April 1903.
- "No. 27864". The London Gazette. 15 December 1905.
- "No. 28611". The London Gazette. 24 May 1912.
- "No. 29240". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 23 July 1915. - "Commonwealth War Graves Commission — casualty details". CWGC. Retrieved 2007-11-26.