Peter Leitch (VC)

Peter Leitch
Born August 1820
Orwell, Kinross-shire, Scotland
Died 6 December 1892 (aged 72)
Fulham, London
Buried Hammersmith Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Sergeant-Major
Unit Royal Engineers
Battles/wars Crimean War
Awards Victoria Cross
Légion d'Honneur (France)

Peter Leitch VC (August 1820 6 December 1892) was a Scottish 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.

Details

Leitch was about 35 years old, and a colour-sergeant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 18 June 1855 at Sebastopol, Crimea, Colour-Sergeant Leitch, after approaching the Redan with the leading ladders, formed a caponniere across the ditch as well as a ramp by fearlessly tearing down gabions from the parapet and placing and filling them until he was disabled from wounds.[1]

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham, Kent.

References

  1. "No. 22149". The London Gazette. 4 June 1858. p. 2757.
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