Arthur Martin-Leake
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Arthur Martin-Leake (4 April 1874–1953) 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. Martin-Leake was the first of only three men to be awarded the VC twice (the others are N.G. Chavasse and C.H. Upham).
He was 27 years old, and a Surgeon Captain in the South African Constabulary then, Royal Army Medical Corps, British Army, attd. 5th Field Ambulance during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 8 February 1902, at Vlakfontein, South Africa, Surgeon Captain Martin-Leake went out into the firing line to dress a wounded man under very heavy enemy fire only 100 yards off. He then attended a badly wounded officer and while doing so was shot himself. He only gave up when thoroughly exhausted and then refused water until other wounded men had been served.
BAR: During the period 29 October to 8 November 1914 near Zonnebeke, Belgium, Lieutenant Martin-Leake showed most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in rescuing, whilst exposed to constant fire, a large number of the wounded who were lying close to the enemy's trenches.
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He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum, Aldershot, England.
Reference
- Martin Leake : Double VC (Ann Clayton, 1997)
- Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - 1914 (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)
- Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/hertford.htm) (Hertfordshire)
- Lieutenant Colonel A. Martin-Leake (http://www.barmy.co.uk/ramc/martin-leake.htm)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference (http://www.victoriacross.net) with permission.