Arthur Martin-Leake

Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Martin-Leake, VC and Bar (4 April 1874 – 22 June 1953) was an English double recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest 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).

Boer War VC

Martin-Leake first went served in the Second Boer War as a trooper in the Imperial Yeomanry. After his year service was completed he stayed on in South Africa as a civil surgeon. He then joined the South African Constabulary until he was forced to return home from his wounds.

He was 27 years old, and a surgeon captain in the South African Constabulary attached to the 5th Field Ambulance during the South African War (Boer War) when he won his first VC.

On 8 February 1902, at Vlakfontein, South Africa, Martin-Leake went out into the firing line to dress a wounded man under heavy enemy fire only 100 yards off. He then attended a badly wounded officer and while doing so was shot. He gave up only when thoroughly exhausted and then refused water until other wounded men had been served.

World War I VC

He won his second VC during the period 29 October to 8 November 1914 near Zonnebeke, Belgium whilst serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps, British Army.

His award citation states that Martin-Leake showed most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in rescuing, while exposed to constant fire, a large number of the wounded who were lying close to the enemy's trenches.

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum, Aldershot, England.

Martin-Leake is buried in St John's Church, High Cross, Hertfordshire.

References

*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

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/hertford.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Hertfordshire)"
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9378385 Find a grave profile]