Robert Digby-Jones


Robert James Thomas Digby-Jones 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

He was born at Chester Street in Edinburgh the son of Charles Digby Jones and his wife, Aimee Susanna Christie. He was educated at Alnmouth and then Sedbergh School. In 1894 he was sent to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and trained as an officer in the Royal Engineers. He is recorded as a keen and popular sportsman, both in golf and rugby.
When he was 23 years old, and a lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the Boer War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 6 January 1900 during the attack on Wagon Hill, South Africa, Lieutenant Digby-Jones and a trooper of the Imperial Light Horse led the force which re-occupied the top of the hill at a critical moment, but both were killed in the ensuing mêlée. For their actions they cited jointly:
Digby-Jones is buried in Ladysmith Cemetery.
He is also memorialised on his parents grave in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh.

Memorials and the medal

He came from a long line of military personnel and another cousin, Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken had already won a Victoria Cross.