William James Montgomery-Cuninghame was born in Ayr, the son of the 8th Baronet of Corsehill. Educated at Harrow School, he began his military career on 11^th March 1853 as an Ensign in the 1st Regiment of Foot by purchase. Just a month later, he transferred to The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) as a second Lieutenant, beginning a distinguished career in the regiment. When the Crimean War broke out in October 1853, he served at Alma, Balaclava, and Inkerman, and later at the siege and fall of Sebastopol, where his gallantry would earn him the Victoria Cross.

On the night of 20^th November 1854, during the siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War, Lieutenant Montgomery-Cuninghame took part in a dangerous operation alongside fellow Lieutenant Claud Thomas Bourchier. Their party was ordered to seize a series of Russian rifle pits that dominated the British positions.

Advancing after dark, a surprise assault was launched that succeeded in driving the Russian riflemen from their cover. In the heavy fighting that followed, the officer commanding the detachment was killed. Despite this, Montgomery-Cuninghame and Bourchier held their ground, beating back repeated counterattacks throughout the night and maintaining control of the position until relieved the next day.

He was also mentioned in Lord Raglan’s despatches, and General Canrobert reportedly issued an immediate order commending his conduct. For his gallantry, Montgomery-Cuninghame became one of the earliest recipients of the Victoria Cross.

His full citation, identical to Lieutenant Bourchier’s, read:

He also received the Order of the Medjidie (5th Class) and the Turkish Crimea Medal for his service during the campaign.

Following the Crimean War, Montgomery-Cuninghame rose steadily through the ranks. He was promoted to Captain and served as an instructor of musketry in The Rifle Brigade. In 1867 he became a Major on half-pay by purchase, later serving as a Major in the Ayr and Wigtown Militia.

Further honours followed: in 1884 he was appointed honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. He later commanded both the Clyde Brigade and the Glasgow Brigade of the Volunteer Force, holding the rank of Brigadier General.

Montgomery-Cuninghame succeeded his father as the 9th Baronet of Corsehill in 1870. He served as a Deputy Lieutenant of Ayrshire from 1871 and represented Ayr Burghs as a Conservative Member of Parliament between 1874 and 1880. He also acted as a Justice of the Peace for Lanark and Wigtown.

After a period of ill health, he died on 11^th November 1897 at the age of 63 and was buried in Kirkmichael Churchyard, Ayr, where he is commemorated with a stained glass window. His medals are now displayed in The Rifleman’s Museum.