Peter Leitch

Peter Leitch VC (August 1820 – 6 December 1892) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life Peter Leitch was brought up in Milnathort, Orwell, Kinross-shire in Scotland, becoming a carpenter and joiner. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers in about 1844–45. After a number of postings, in 1854 he joined the Baltic campaign as one of 106 army sappers who accompanied the Royal Navy fleet. In the Baltic he took part in the Battle of Bomarsund where, as a corporal, he had charge of the carpenters who laid the platform of a British battery landed on Åland Island. Leitch returned to England at the close of the Baltic operations, and was soon sent to the Crimea, arriving early in 1855. Here he took part in the siege of Sebastopol, maintaining the gun platforms of the siege batteries of the British 'right attack'.

For his Crimea service, Leitch also received the 5th class of the French Legion of Honour.

Later career After the Crimean War, Leitch served at Gibraltar before returning to England. He was then employed in the Royal Engineers office at Dover, Kent, before retiring due to failing health.

Leitch Row, a road in Brompton, Gillingham, Kent is named after him.

The medal His Victoria Cross and other medals are displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham, Kent.