Alfred Spencer Heathcote
Lieutenant, 60th Rifles (King's Royal Rifle Corps)
- Register No.
- 552 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 60th Rifles (King's Royal Rifle Corps) all 60th Rifles VCs →
- Date of action
- June to September 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 20th January, 1860 on this day → all of 1860 →
- Born
- 29th March 1832 at London
- Died
- 21st February 1912 at Bowral, New South Wales, Australia
- Memorial / grave
- St James' Anglican Church, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Digest of citation
From June to September 1857, throughout the siege of Delhi, India, during which he was wounded, Lieutenant Heathcote's conduct was most gallant. He volunteered for service of extreme danger, especially during the six days a severe fighting in the streets after the assault
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HEATHCOTE, Alfred Spencer. (reg No. 552).
Lieutenant. 60th Rifles (King's Royal Rifle Corps).
London Gazetted on 20th January, 1860.
Born on 29th March 1832 at London.
Died on 21st February 1912 at Bowral, New South Wales, Australia.
Memorial at St James' Anglican Church, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: From June to September 1857, throughout the siege of Delhi, India, during which he was wounded, Lieutenant Heathcote's conduct was most gallant. He volunteered for service of extreme danger, especially during the six days a severe fighting in the streets after the assault.
Additional information:. Captain Heathcote was elected for the Victoria Cross by the Regiment. The book, VC 1856-1920, reports that he was Born on in Winchester. His service began as an Ensign in the 60th Rifles, with the 2nd Battalion on 16th May, 1856. On 22nd June 1858 he became a lieutenant. He served in the Indian mutiny from 1857 to 1858, which included the actions on the Hindun, the Battle of Budli-re-Serai and the taking of the heights at Delhi. Lord Roberts VC, in his book, "Forty-one Years in India," says, "I wished to be present, so attached myself, for the occasion, to a party of the 60th Rifles, under the command of Ensign Alfred Heathcote. As soon as the smoke of the explosion cleared away, the 60th, supported by the 4th Punjab Infantry, sprang through the gateway; but we did not get very far, for there was a second door beyond, chained and barred, which was with difficulty forced open, and the whole party rushed in."
Additional information
Captain Heathcote was elected for the Victoria Cross by the Regiment. The book, VC 1856-1920, reports that he was Born on in Winchester. His service began as an Ensign in the 60th Rifles, with the 2nd Battalion on 16th May, 1856. On 22nd June 1858 he became a lieutenant. He served in the Indian mutiny from 1857 to 1858, which included the actions on the Hindun, the Battle of Budli-re-Serai and the taking of the heights at Delhi. Lord Roberts VC, in his book, "Forty-one Years in India," says, "I wished to be present, so attached myself, for the occasion, to a party of the 60th Rifles, under the command of Ensign Alfred Heathcote. As soon as the smoke of the explosion cleared away, the 60th, supported by the 4th Punjab Infantry, sprang through the gateway; but we did not get very far, for there was a second door beyond, chained and barred, which was with difficulty forced open, and the whole party rushed in."
Register note: Awarded for multiple acts of valour
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: St James' Anglican Church, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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