Post by ben on Feb 4, 2009 18:31:10 GMT
Revealed: hero who was forced to ask for VC
Honour was given to Zulu soldier after prompting
Published: 2 February 2009
A war hero who saved the lives of four of his men fighting the Zulus received the VC – but only after he asked for it.
Major William Knox-Leet was told by his superiors that he deserved the honour, which is the highest decoration awarded by the military for bravery, but was not officially recommended for it.
Instead, he took matters into his own hands and wrote to a colonel in the War Office, requesting him to review his case and recognise his story.
Major Knox-Leet’s letter, which is the only known example of somebody applying for and receiving a VC for themselves, was found discovered by a relative in a dusty old attic.
In it, Major Knox-Leet wrote: “They all say here that I should get the VC…I would of course give my eyes for the VC if outsiders think I deserve it and it would be a grievous blow to me if I deserve and do not get it.”
Major Knox-Leet fought in the Battle of Hlobane, South Africa between the British and the Zulus in 1879. After an ambushing that saw 200 of the 13th Light Infantry killed, many of the British soldiers fled. But the Major fought on, and rode into battle four times to rescue his men.
Dr Adrian Greaves of the Anglo Zulu War Historical Society, who was contacted after the letter was uncovered, confirmed that the letter was unique.
“What makes Knox-Leet’s story so special is that his nose was obviously put out of joint when he was not commended…so he thought he would give himself a pat on the back.
“Well, I guess it paid off because he ended up with an award that every soldier dreams of.”
Honour was given to Zulu soldier after prompting
Published: 2 February 2009
A war hero who saved the lives of four of his men fighting the Zulus received the VC – but only after he asked for it.
Major William Knox-Leet was told by his superiors that he deserved the honour, which is the highest decoration awarded by the military for bravery, but was not officially recommended for it.
Instead, he took matters into his own hands and wrote to a colonel in the War Office, requesting him to review his case and recognise his story.
Major Knox-Leet’s letter, which is the only known example of somebody applying for and receiving a VC for themselves, was found discovered by a relative in a dusty old attic.
In it, Major Knox-Leet wrote: “They all say here that I should get the VC…I would of course give my eyes for the VC if outsiders think I deserve it and it would be a grievous blow to me if I deserve and do not get it.”
Major Knox-Leet fought in the Battle of Hlobane, South Africa between the British and the Zulus in 1879. After an ambushing that saw 200 of the 13th Light Infantry killed, many of the British soldiers fled. But the Major fought on, and rode into battle four times to rescue his men.
Dr Adrian Greaves of the Anglo Zulu War Historical Society, who was contacted after the letter was uncovered, confirmed that the letter was unique.
“What makes Knox-Leet’s story so special is that his nose was obviously put out of joint when he was not commended…so he thought he would give himself a pat on the back.
“Well, I guess it paid off because he ended up with an award that every soldier dreams of.”
