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James Langley Dalton

James Langley Dalton VC
James Langley Dalton, VC.jpg
Born 1833
London, England
Died 7 January 1887(1887-01-07) (aged 54)
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Rank Assistant Commissary
Unit 85th Regiment of Foot
Commissariat and Transport Department
Battles/wars Anglo-Zulu War
Awards Victoria Cross (UK) ribbon.png Victoria Cross

James Langley Dalton VC (1833 – 7 January 1887) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces for service at the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War.

Born in London in 1833, Dalton enlisted in 85th Regiment of Foot in November 1849 at the age of 17. In 1862 he transferred to the Commissariat Corps at the rank of corporal, and was promoted to sergeant in 1863, and clerk and staff sergeant in 1867. He served with Sir Garnet Wolseley on the Red River Expedition in Canada in 1870, retiring from the army the next year. By 1877, he was living in South Africa and volunteered for service as Acting Assistant Commissary with the British Force.

Dalton was approximately 46 years old, and an acting assistant commissary in the Commissariat and Transport Department (later Royal Army Service Corps), British Army during the Anglo-Zulu War when he was awarded the VC for his actions on 22 January 1879, at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa.

His citation in the London Gazette of 17 November 1879 reads:


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