Alfred Spencer Heathcote
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Alfred Spencer Heathcote | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 29 March 1832 London, England |
| Died | 21 February 1912 (aged 79) Bowral, Australia |
| Buried | St James Anglican Churchyard, Bowral |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 60th Rifles |
| Commands | Queensland Volunteer Cavalry Corps |
| Battles / wars | Indian Mutiny Second Anglo-Chinese War |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
Colonel Alfred Spencer Heathcote VC (29 March 1832 – 21 February 1912) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Biography
[edit]Heathcote was the son of Henry Spencer Heathcote and Anne Currie,[1] and nephew of Sir Frederick Currie, 1st Baronet and Vice-Admiral Mark John Currie. He was educated at Winchester College.
He was awarded the VC for the following deed, which took place at the Siege of Delhi during the Indian Mutiny, when he was 25 years old and a lieutenant in the 60th Rifles (later The King's Royal Rifle Corps), British Army.
For highly gallant and daring conduct at Delhi throughout the Siege, from June to September, 1857, during which he was wounded. He volunteered for services of extreme danger, especially during the six days of severe fighting in the streets after the Assault. Elected by the Oflicers of his Regiment.[2]
Further information
[edit]He later achieved the rank of colonel and emigrated to Australia. He was the first appointed infantry regiment commander in the Colony of New South Wales – appointed to command in August 1870 at Victoria Barracks, Sydney. He is buried, along with his wife Mary Harriet, at the Bowral Cemetery,(Kangaloon Road). His grave is 18 metres to the immediate left upon entering the cemetery gate. His grave is marked by a large grey granite cross. R.I.P.Bowral, New South Wales, Australia (Grave to left of entrance. Headstone). There is also a memorial for him at St. James' Anglican Church, Sydney, New South Wales.
The medal
[edit]His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Victoria Barracks in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Henry Spencer Heathcote". The Peerage. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- ^ "No. 22347". The London Gazette. 20 January 1860. p. 178.
- ^ "Alfred Spencer Heathcote, V.C: 60th Rifles". British Medals. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- 1832 births
- 1912 deaths
- King's Royal Rifle Corps officers
- British recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Indian Rebellion of 1857 recipients of the Victoria Cross
- English emigrants to colonial Australia
- Military personnel from London
- British Army personnel of the Second Opium War
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- People educated at Winchester College