William Knox Leet

At Hlobane, he rode through enemy fire to rescue an officer.

William Knox Leet was born on 3 November 1833 at Dalkey, County Dublin. Commissioned into the 13th Regiment of Foot in 1855, he served during the Indian Rebellion of 1858, including the actions at Amorah and Nugger and operations in Oudh. His service was recognised in despatches and by the Indian Mutiny Medal.

Leet served in South Africa from 1878 and joined Sir Evelyn Wood’s force during the Anglo-Zulu War. On 28 March 1879, during the retreat from Hlobane, Lieutenant A. M. Smith of the Frontier Light Horse lost his horse while Zulu warriors pursued him. Leet took Smith onto his own horse and brought him to safety under fire. This action earned Leet the Victoria Cross, announced in The London Gazette on 17 June 1879, issue 24734, page 3966. He held a combat command at Kambula the next day. His South Africa Medal 1877–79 carried the 1878–79 clasp.

He later commanded the 2nd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, in Burma during the Third Anglo-Burmese War. He received the India General Service Medal with the Burma 1885–87 clasp and was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1887. He retired that year with the honorary rank of Major-General.

Leet died on 29 June 1898 at Great Chart, Kent, and was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard.