- James Edward Tait
James Edward Tait VC MC (
May 27 ,1886 ,Dumfries ,Scotland -August 11 ,1918 ), was a Canadian recipient of theVictoria 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 32 years -old, and a
lieutenant in the 78th (Winnipeg Grenadiers) Battalion,Canadian Expeditionary Force , during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.Action
During the period
August 8 -11 August 1918 atAmiens ,France , when the advance had been checked by intense machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Tait rallied his company and led them forward with consummate skill under a hail of bullets. He then went forward alone to a machine-gun which was causing many casualties and killed the gunner. This so inspired his men that they rushed the position, capturing 12 machine-guns and 20 prisoners. Later, when the enemy counter-attacked Tait's position under intense artillery bombardment, this officer displayed outstanding courage and although mortally wounded, continued to direct his men until his death.Also considered Scottish. Grave/memorial at Buried at Fouquescourt British Cemetery, France. 16m S of Albert. Special Memorial. Grave 8. Headstone (shows age 32).
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the
Glenbow Museum "(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)".References
*
Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)External links
* [http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/content/collections/VC/detail.cfm?casualty=616614 JAMES EDWARD TAIT] "(service/personal details, photograph, citation, relevant documents, burial information)"
* [http://www.legionmagazine.com/features/victoriacross/05-09.asp?id=print Legion Magazine]
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