James Leith (British Army officer, born 1763) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir James Leith
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Sir James Leith, General and Governor of Leeward Islands, by Charles Picart.
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| Born | 8 August 1763 Leith Hall, Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Died | 16 October 1816 (aged 53) Barbados |
| Buried |
Westminster Abbey, London
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1780–1816 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
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| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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| Relations | Alexander Leith Hay (brother) Andrew Leith Hay (nephew) |
Sir James Leith (born August 8, 1763 – died October 16, 1816) was a brave Scottish soldier. He became a high-ranking officer, a Lieutenant-General, in the British Army. He led the 5th Division in the army of the famous Duke of Wellington. His division fought in many important battles during the Peninsular War from 1810 to 1813.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Leith was born at Leith Hall in Scotland on August 8, 1763. He was the third son of John and Harriot Leith. When he was very young, his father passed away.
James was taught at home by a tutor first. Later, he went to grammar school in Elgin. He also studied at Marischal College in Aberdeen. After deciding to join the army, he went to a military academy in Lille, France.
Starting His Military Career
James Leith joined the Army in 1780. His first rank was an ensign in the 21st Regiment of Foot. He quickly moved up, becoming a lieutenant and then a captain by 1782.
After the American War ended in 1783, his regiment was disbanded. He then joined the 50th Regiment of Foot, which was based in Gibraltar. There, he worked as an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to the governor, Sir Robert Boyd. Later, he was an aide to General Charles O'Hara.
Leith went with General O'Hara to Toulon, France, in 1793. The British Army was occupying the city at the time. After O'Hara was captured, Leith worked for Major-General Sir David Dundas. He returned to Gibraltar when the British left Toulon in December.
In 1794, Leith was put in charge of an Independent Company of Foot. He soon returned to Scotland. There, he was allowed to create a new regiment called the Aberdeen Fencible Regiment of Foot. This regiment was later renamed. Leith became a colonel in the army in 1801. His regiment helped during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The regiment was disbanded in 1803.
Fighting in Spain
In 1808, James Leith became a major-general. He was sent to Spain to help the Spanish fight against the French army led by Napoleon. He joined Sir David Baird's forces in November.
Leith fought in John Moore's campaign in northern Spain from 1808 to 1809. He led a group of soldiers called a brigade. At the Battle of Lugo in January 1809, Leith's brigade successfully attacked the French. They caused many losses for the French army. At the Battle of Corunna on January 16, Leith's soldiers bravely held their ground against the French attacks.
After returning to England, Leith served in the Walcheren Campaign. This was a difficult campaign, and he became ill with "Walcheren fever."
Serving Under Wellington
In August 1810, Leith was chosen to lead the 5th Infantry Division under the Duke of Wellington. This division included both British and Portuguese soldiers.
Key Battles and Injuries
The 5th Division fought well at the Battle of Bussaco in September 1810. They helped push back the French soldiers. During the winter of 1810–1811, Leith's soldiers helped defend the Lines of Torres Vedras. These were strong defenses that stopped the French from capturing Lisbon.
In April 1812, Leith's division played a very important part in the storming of Badajoz. While other divisions attacked the main walls, Leith's 5th Division climbed over a different part of the city wall. This surprise attack helped the British army break through the French defenses. Leith's division lost over 500 men in this fierce battle.
In July 1812, Leith's 5th Division was crucial at the Battle of Salamanca. Their strong attack helped defeat a French division. During this battle, Leith was wounded and had to go home to recover.
Awards and Return to Duty
For his brave service in Spain, Leith received the Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath award in 1813. He also received a special addition to his family's coat of arms.
He returned to lead the 5th Division on August 30, 1813. The very next day, he was severely wounded again during the difficult attack at the Siege of San Sebastián. For his actions in Spain, Leith received the Army Gold Cross. He also received an award from the Prince Regent of Portugal.
Governor of the Leeward Islands
In February 1814, Sir James Leith was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands. These were a group of islands in the Caribbean.
When news arrived that Napoleon Bonaparte had returned to power in France, some French soldiers on the island of Martinique wanted to support him. Leith quickly gathered his forces and landed on Martinique in July. He worked with the French governor there to take control of the island's military areas.
In August, Leith's troops landed on Guadeloupe. The governor there had declared his loyalty to Napoleon. Leith's forces quickly defeated the enemy within two days. His deputy in this operation was Thomas Moody.
For his efforts in securing these French islands for the King of France, Leith was given a high French award. However, by the time he received this award, he had already passed away. Sir James Leith caught yellow fever in Barbados and died on October 16, 1816. His body was brought back to England and buried in Westminster Abbey in London.
Thomas Moody, Leith's aide-de-camp, later named one of his sons, James Leith Moody, after Sir James Leith.
Personal Life
In 1798, James Leith married Lady Augusta Forbes. She was the daughter of the 5th Earl of Granard. His nephew, Andrew Leith Hay, became his heir.
See also
- Sir John Thomas Jones
- Alexander Leith Hay
- Andrew Leith Hay
