Martin Leake VC

During the Boer War in 1902, Surgeon-Captain Martin Leake rescued a wounded man whose lay a mere 100 yards from the enemy line at Vlakfontien. He returned to rescue another officer, he was shot three times. Eventually, eight wounded men were brought in and Martin-Leake refused water until all the others were served. For his valour, he received the Victoria Cross.

In the First War, serving as a Lieutenant near Zonnebeke in Belgium, he rescued many men, all lying close to the enemy’s trenches, all the time under constant fire. For this he was awarded a clasp for conspicuous bravery (now known as a ‘bar’ which indicates a second Victoria Cross.) Martin-Leake survived the War.

This week, a team from the Trust gave the Martin-Leake family plot a thorough clean. It was an honour to work on the grave of one of only three double VCs.

Victoria Cross Trust
22 Westmall Frenchgate Shopping Centre
St Sepulchre Gate
Doncaster
DN1 1ST
Charitable Company Limited By Guarantee
Registration No 08143560
Registered Charity No 1149454
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