Alfred Spencer Heathcote

Alfred Spencer Heathcote
Born 29 March 1832
London, England
Died 21 February 1912 (aged 79)
Bowral, Australia
Buried at St James Anglican Churchyard, Bowral
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Colonel
Unit 60th Rifles
Commands held 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

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

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.

Colonel Heathcote's grave

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Victoria Barracks in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Henry Spencer Heathcote". The Peerage. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 22347. p. 178. 20 January 1860. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
  3. ↑ http://www.britishmedals.net/people/heathcote.html


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