Thomas Leigh-Goldie Explained

Thomas Leigh-Goldie
Birth Date:1807
Death Date:5 November 1854
Death Place:Inkerman, Crimea
Placeofburial Coordinates:Douglas, Isle of Man
Allegiance:United Kingdom
Branch:British Army
Serviceyears:1825–1854
Rank:Brigadier-General
Commands:4th Division
Battles:Crimean War

Brigadier-General Thomas Leigh-Goldie (1807 – 5 November 1854) was a senior British Army officer who was killed in action while in command of the 4th Division during the Crimean War.

Military career

Born the son of General Alexander John Goldie and Isabella Taubman, Leigh-Goldie was commissioned as an ensign in the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot in June 1825.[1] He was deployed to Canada in 1827 and saw action during the rebellions of 1837–1838.[2]

Promoted to lieutenant-colonel, he became commanding officer of the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot in around 1840.[1] After landing in the Crimea, and being promoted to brigadier-general, he was given command of the 1st Brigade of the 4th Division at the Battle of Inkerman on 5 November 1854. After Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart was killed in action, Leigh-Goldie became acting General Officer Commanding the 4th Division before also being fatally wounded and dying a short time later.[3] [4] He was buried in the Crimea and a memorial, consisting of a Russian gun on a stone plinth, was erected at St Mary's Church in Douglas, Isle of Man, near his home in Braddan, Isle of Man.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marble paperweight, incorporating the bullet which killed Brigadier-General Thomas Leigh Goldie at the Battle of Inkerman, 5 November 1854. National Army Museum. 12 January 2022.
  2. News: Thomas Leigh-Goldie. Manx Sun. 25 November 1854. 20. 12 January 2022.
  3. Book: McGuigan, Ron. 'Into Battle!' British Orders of Battle for the Crimean War, 1854–56. Withycut House. Bowdon, Cheshire. 2001. 978-1-89924-402-7. 26, 29.
  4. News: Battle of Inkerman. The New York Times. 5 November 1854. 12 January 2022.
  5. Web site: Memorial: Brigadier General T Leigh-Goldie. Imperial War Museum. 12 January 2022.