James John McLeod Innes

Who was James John McLeod Innes?

Lieutenant General James John McLeod Innes VC CB 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.

Born in British India to Scottish parents Innes was educated privately, at Edinburgh University and Addiscombe where he was awarded the Pollock Medal and was commissioned into the Bengal Engineers in 1848.

Innes was 28 years old, and a lieutenant in the Bengal Engineers, Bengal Army during the Indian Mutiny on 23 February 1858 at Sultanpore, India where he was awarded Victoria Cross for the following deed:

Date of Act of Bravery, 23rd February, 1858

He also Mentioned in Despatches three times for his work in the Mutiny.

He later joined the Royal Engineers and achieved the rank of lieutenant general. After he retired he wrote several books. His Victoria Cross is displayed in the Royal Engineers Museum at Chatham, England.