Robert Haydon Shebbeare
Lieutenant, 60th Bengal Native Infantry
- Register No.
- 1134 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 60th Bengal Native Infantry all 60th Bengal Native Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 14 September 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- London Gazette
- 21st October 1859 on this day → all of 1859 →
- Born
- 13th January 1827 at Clapham, London
- Died
- 16th September 1860 on board SS Emau, in the East China
- Memorial / grave
- Buried at sea. (see above)
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
Lieutenant Shebbeare led the 4th Column Guides on 14th September 1857, during the assault on Delhi, India, when having charged twice beneath the walls of the loopholed Serai, found it impossible to attain the breach owing to the devastating fire. One-third of the European troops having been killed or wounded, Lieutenant Shebbeare, endeavoured to get reorganised, but was unable to do so. He successfully supervised the rearguard of the retreat across the canal. He was miraculously saved in spite of having received a bullet through his cheek, and another wound on his scalp along the back of his head
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SHEBBEARE, Robert Haydon. (reg No. 1134).
Lieutenant. 60th Bengal Native Infantry.
London Gazetted on 21st October 1859.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 13th January 1827 at Clapham, London.
Died on 16th September 1860 on board SS Emau, in the East China Sea, south of Shanghai, China.
Buried at sea. (see above).
Digest of Citation reads: Lieutenant Shebbeare led the 4th Column Guides on 14th September 1857, during the assault on Delhi, India, when having charged twice beneath the walls of the loopholed Serai, found it impossible to attain the breach owing to the devastating fire. One-third of the European troops having been killed or wounded, Lieutenant Shebbeare, endeavoured to get reorganised, but was unable to do so. He successfully supervised the rearguard of the retreat across the canal. He was miraculously saved in spite of having received a bullet through his cheek, and another wound on his scalp along the back of his head.
Additional information:. He was promoted Brevet- Captain. He is reported having died at sea during the China War of 1860.
Additional information
He was promoted Brevet- Captain. He is reported having died at sea during the China War of 1860.
Sea, south of Shanghai, China.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Buried at sea. (see above)
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