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Alfred Spencer Heathcote

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Alfred Spencer Heathcote
Born29 March 1832
London, England
Died21 February 1912 (aged 79)
Bowral, Australia
Buried
St James Anglican Churchyard, Bowral
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
BranchBritish Army
RankColonel
Unit60th Rifles
CommandsQueensland Volunteer Cavalry Corps
Battles / warsIndian Mutiny
Second Anglo-Chinese War
AwardsVictoria Cross

Captain Alfred Spencer Heathcote VC (29 March 1832 – 21 February 1912) was a British army officer, who served in 60th Royal Rifles corps. He received the Victoria Cross for bravery in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and was also awarded for his service in the Battle of Taku Forts.

Early life and education

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Heathcote was born in 1832 in Middlesex,[1] the son of Henry Spencer Heathcote[2] and Anne Currie,[3] and nephew of Sir Frederick Currie, 1st Baronet and Vice-Admiral Mark John Currie. He was educated at Winchester College.[2]

In his youth, he was a page-in-waiting to Queen Victoria.[4]

Military career

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Heathcote served in the 60th Rifles corps of the British Army.[4][5]

In 1857, Heathcote was 25 and a lieutenant[2][6] when he fought in the Indian Mutiny and was awarded a Victorian Cross for bravery[4][5][7] for his actions at the Siege of Delhi:

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.[8]

Heathcote also received a medal in 1860 for his service at the Battle of Taku Forts.[7][9]

Heathcote resigned from the army in 1863[4] and sold his commission.[10]

Later life

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Heathcote moved to Australia in 1864,[7] where he invested unsuccessfully in land in Warwick, Queensland, Australia.[4] In 1869, he was appointed the Warwick district registrar for births, deaths, and marriage.[11]

He was later appointed infantry regiment commander in the Colony of New South Wales, appointed to command in August 1870 at Victoria Barracks, Sydney. He resigned after differences of opinion with Commandant Major-General Richardson.[4] Heathcote served briefly as Clerk of Petty Sessions at Hill End.[4]

Heathcote lived for a while in Orange,[2][5] before a brief return to Sydney, finally settling in Bowral.[4]

Died

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Heathcote died in Bowral on 21 February 1932[4] and was buried at Bowral Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Mary Harriet Heathcote, whom he had married in 1859,[12] one son and five daughters.[4] His wife was later buried next to him. There is also a memorial for Heathcote at St. James' Anglican Church, Kings Street, Sydney, New South Wales.[13]

Legacy

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Heathcote's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Victoria Barracks in Sydney.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Entry for Heathcote family". England and Wales, Census. 1841. Retrieved 31 May 2025 – via Family Search.
  2. ^ a b c d Wainewright, John Bannerman, ed. (1907). Winchester College, 1836-1906 : a Register (PDF). Winchester, Hamps, England: P and G Wells. p. 97.
  3. ^ "Entry for Alfred Spencer Heathcote". England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. 1832. Retrieved 1 June 2025 – via Family Search.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Death of Captain Heathcote". The Muswellbrook Chronicle. Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia. 13 March 1912. p. 4. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Orange and its Pioneers". Central Western Daily. Orange, New South Wales, Australia. 10 September 1947.
  6. ^ "The Victoria Cross". The Hampshire Advertiser. 20 January 1860. p. 10. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "SOCIAL (On Wednesday afternoon last)". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 June 1899. p. 7. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  8. ^ "No. 22347". The London Gazette. 20 January 1860. p. 178.
  9. ^ "A Distinguished Officer". Maitland Daily Mercury. Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. 1 March 1912. p. 6. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Naval and Military". The Caledonian Mercury. Edinburgh, Scotland. 14 August 1863. p. 4. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  11. ^ "The Gazette (District Registrar)". The Courier-Mail. 28 February 1869. p. 2. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Marriages (Heathcote-Thompson)". The Morning Post. 24 March 1859. p. 8. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Captain Alfred Spencer Heathcote V.C." monumentaustralia.org.au. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Alfred Spencer Heathcote, V.C: 60th Rifles". British Medals. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
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