Eustace Jotham

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 battalionFact|date=August 2008 The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire) Regiment as a second lieutenant on 22 April 1903 [LondonGazette|issue=27545|startpage=2528|endpage=2529|date=21 April 1903|accessdate=2008-08-04] and then transferred to the 2nd battalion, embarking for a tour of duty in India.Fact|date=August 2008

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. [LondonGazette|issue=27864|startpage=9011|date=15 December 1905|accessdate=2008-08-04] By 1908 he had joined the 51st Sikhs and is listed in the records as a 'double company officer',Fact|date=August 2008 he was promoted captain on 22 April 1912. [LondonGazette|issue=28611|startpage=3797|date=24 May 1912|accessdate=2008-08-04] 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): [LondonGazette|issue=29240|supp=yes|startpage=7279|date=23 July 1915|accessdate=2007-11-26]

quote|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).cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1437380|title=Commonwealth War Graves Commission — casualty details|publisher=CWGC|accessdate=2007-11-26

References

External links

* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7996537 Eustace Jotham at Find-A-Grave]