Eustace Jotham


Eustace Jotham VC 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.

Early life and career

Born in Kidderminster 28 November 1883, Jotham attended Lucton School in Herefordshire for five years and at the age of 16, in 1899, he transferred to Bromsgrove School. In 1901, at the age of 18, he left to attend the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the Prince of Wales's Regiment as a second lieutenant on 22 April 1903 and joined the 2nd battalion, embarking for a tour of duty in India.
In 1903 Jotham sailed to India with the North Staffords and served with them until 1905. Under the Indian Army regulations for admission paragraph 13 British army officers could transfer to the Indian army. Jotham transferred to the Indian Army on 23 June 1905, and promoted to lieutenant in the 102nd Prince of Wales's Own Grenadiers on 22 July 1905. In October 1906 he transferred to the 51st Sikhs and is listed in the records as a 'double company officer'. He was promoted captain on 22 April 1912.
In 1913 he returned to England for what would be his last period of home leave. Just before he returned to India he was a passenger on a train involved in the accident at Ais Gill and participated in rescue operations. He appeared as a witness at the inquiry held immediately after the accident.
On his return to India he was attached to the North Waziristan Militia during 1914–1915 and it was during this attachment on operations in the Tochi Valley area of the North West Frontier that he was killed in action on 7 January 1915. His bravery during these operations earned him a posthumous Victoria Cross.

Citation

Burial and memorials

He was buried in the Miranshah Cemetery, North Waziristan, and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial.
On 7 January 2015, the 100th anniversary of his death, a memorial paving stone to Jotham was unveiled at St Mary's and All Saints Church in his home town of Kidderminster. Jotham's Victoria Cross is held at Bromsgrove School.