Eustace Jotham

Who was 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.

Born in Kidderminster 28 November 1883, Jotham attended Bromsgrove School from 1899. In 1901, at the age of 18, he left to attend the Royal Military Academy, 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. By 1908 he had joined the 51st Sikhs and is listed in the records as a 'double company officer'. He was promoted captain on 22 April 1912.

During operations in the Tochi Valley area of the North West Frontier in 1914–1915 he was attached to the North Waziristan Militia and on 7 January 1915 was killed in action. His bravery during these operations earned him a posthumous Victoria Cross.