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| Page revised: 4 October, 2006 |
Lieutenant Robert James Thomas DIGBY JONES VC |
| Born: | Edinburgh - 27 September 1876 | 
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| Died: | Waggon Hill, Ladysmith, South Africa - 6 January 1900 | ||
| Burial details: | Ladysmith Cemetery, South Africa | ||
| Corps service: | He was educated at Sedbergh School, Yorkshire and passed 6th into the Royal Engineers Division at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned into the Corps in August 1896. While on his Chatham course he was active in rugby football and golf. He joined 23 Field Company before they departed for South Africa in 1899. | ||
| VC awarded: | Won VC at Wagon Hill, (Ladysmith) South Africa on 6 January 1900. (Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902) | ||
| VC unit: | 23 Field Company. | ||
| VC presented: | VC sent to his parents by post on order of King Edward VII on 30 August 1902. | ||
| VC citation: | (to be read in conjunction with Trooper Albrecht, VC):
Would have been recommended for the Victoria Cross had they survived,
on account of their having, during the attack on Wagon Hill (Ladysmith)
on 6 January 1900, displayed conspicuous bravery and gallant conduct
in leading the force which reoccupied the top of the hill at a critical
moment just as the three foremost attacking Boers reached it, the
leader [Commandant CJ de Villiers*] being shot by Lieutenant Digby-Jones
and the two others by Albrecht. (London Gazette:8 August 1902) * The citation is incorrect in this detail. De Villiers was actually shot by Trooper Albrecht, the Boer, De Jagers then shot Albrecht and Digby Jones shot de Jagers. Notes on: Trooper Herman Albrecht, VC of Imperial Light Horse (Natal) He was an orphan raised at Burghersdorp-Atwal by a Mr Shorten. Before joining the Light Horse he was employed as a horse breaker. Born: 1876 at Burghersdorp-Aliwal, North Cape, South Africa. Died: 6 January 1900 at Ladysmith, Natal. Burial details: A communal grave, with other dead of the Imperial light Horse, on Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, Natal. Citation: On 6 January 1900 on Wagon Hill, (Ladysmith) South Africa, Lieutenant R.J.T Digby-Jones, Royal Engineers and Trooper Albrecht led the force which re-occupied the top of the hill at a critical moment, just as the three foremost attacking Boers reached it. The leader was shot by the lieutenant and the two others by Trooper Albrecht. (London Gazette: 8 August 1902.) |
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| VC location: | Royal Engineers Museum | ||
| Background: | Digby Jones was posthumously awarded his VC for his part in the defence of Wagon Hill during the siege of Ladysmith. At the start of the Anglo Boer War the Boers immediately cut off Mafeking, to prevent the same fate befalling Ladysmith the Natal Field Force under Lt Gen Sir George White VC set off to secure the town, but soon found itself driven into it and under siege. A defensive line was thrown up around the town. Wagon Hill was one of the points on that line. The engineers were largely responsible for strengthening the defences and preparing gun positions. On 5 January 1900 Digby Jones had been detailed to supervise the installation of two 12-pounder guns and a 4.7 inch howitzer (known as Lady Anne) on Wagon Hill. He had a working party of 50 men, members of the Royal Navy, 23 Field Company, RE and native Africans, and an escort of 70 Gordon Highlands. As they moved the guns under the cover of darkness they came under rifle fire it was the prelude to a Boer attack on Wagon Hill and the circumstances under which Digby Jones won his VC. | ||
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Additional material: SC Fenwick, FoREM Links to further reading:
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Royal Engineers Museum main site
