LEET, William Knox. (reg No. 732).

Posts : 627 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 46

Major. 1st Battalion. 13th Regiment *.
London Gazetted on 17th June, 1879.
Born on 3rd November 1833 at Dalkey, County Dublin, Ireland.
Died on 27th June, 1898 at Great Chart, Kent.
Memorial on grave at Great Chart Churchyard, Kent.

Digest of Citation reads:

For his gallant conduct on 28th March 1879, in rescuing Lieutenant A M Smith of the Frontier Light Horse of from the Zulus during a retreat from Inhlobana, Zululand. Lieutenant Smith's horse had been shot from under him and was being pursued by the Zulus. He would have been killed but for Major Leet taking him up on his horse and riding to a place of safety under heavy enemy fire.
Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry..

Additional information: . Major General Leet was twice mentioned in despatches during the Indian Mutiny as a lieutenant. He served with distinction, under Lord Mark KERR, with the Battalion and as a Staff Officer to several columns. He served in South Africa in 1878 and, in 1879, in the Zulu War.

sas1

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Posts : 3387 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

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William Knox Leet VC
Photo Provided by 1879 Graves

See Pictorial catalogue of AZW graves

Subject: Re: LEET, William Knox. (reg No. 732). Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:16 pm

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Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

Quote :: They all say that I ought to get the VC.

He had some nerve, applying for the VC himself. Any other accounts of this taking place during the Zulu War Suspect

Still when you have friends in high places Rolling Eyes

Posts : 1093 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London

Harford was seen leading an attack by Chelmsford who afterwards said he deserved to be decorated. Harford replied " I was just doing my duty" thus giving up his chance to be the first to be decorated with the VC in the Zulu War.

Posts : 75 Join date : 2011-02-26 Location : Scotland

I own Lt Smith's SA 1879 medal so have looked at the subject of this VC a good deal during my research. Smith was obviously quite rihtly flowing with gratitude towards Leet's saving his life and this graphic description of what happened surely helped a good deal but the idea of someone lobbying for a VC and then getting it doesn't seem right, especially when at this particular battle their were so many others as or more deserving.

Jager1

Subject: Re: LEET, William Knox. (reg No. 732). Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:13 pm

WILLIAM KNOX LEET (Major, afterwards Major General, C.B.) 1st Battalion 13th Prince Albert’s Somersetshire Light Infantry On March 28th 1879, the fighting on the Inhlobane Mountain, under Sir Evelyn Wood, was so severe that a retirement was deemed advisable. During the retreat the Zulus continuously harassed our men. The 13th Light Infantry formed part of the small force. Towards evening Lieutenant A.M. Smith, Frontier Light Horse, had his horse shot from under him, and being closely pursued by the enemy, was on the point of being speared, when Major Leet, galloping to his rescue, took him up behind him, riding with him under rifle fire and a shower of assegais to a place of safety. During the Indian Mutiny General Leet served with marked distinction, both with his battalion under Lord Mark Kerr, and as a Staff Officer to several columns towards the end of the campaign, being twice mentioned in general orders. Served in South Africa 1878, against Sckukuni, and also in the Expedition to Mandalay 1886-7, in both latter campaigns being mentioned in despatches. Was in 1887 created a Companion of the Bath, and died on June 29th 1898, aged 65. (Born November 3rd 1833.

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