William Mcbean
Lieutent/Adjutant, 93rd Regiment (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) VC London Gazetted on 24th December 1858
- Register No.
- 765 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutent/Adjutant (register: Lieutenant) all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 93rd Regiment (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) VC London Gazetted on 24th December 1858 (register: 93rd Regiment of Foot) all 93rd Regiment of Foot VCs →
- Date of action
- 11 March 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Indian Mutiny
- Born
- 1st January 1818 at Inverness, Scotland
- Died
- 23rd June 1878 at Shooter's Hill, London
- Memorial / grave
- Edinburgh (Grave)
Digest of citation
On 11 March 1858 at Lucknow, India, Lieutenant McBean killed 11 of the enemy with his own hand in the main breach of the Begum Bagh
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
McBEAN, William. (Reg. No. 765)
Lieutent/Adjutant 93rd Regiment (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) VC London Gazetted on 24th December 1858.
Born on: 1st January 1818 at Inverness, Scotland.
Died on: 23rd June 1878 at Shooter's Hill, London.
Memorial at: Edinburgh (Grave)
Digest of Citation reads: On 11 March 1858 at Lucknow, India, Lieutenant McBean killed 11 of the enemy with his own hand in the main breach of the Begum Bagh.
Additional Information: During his army career he held every rank from Private to Major General. He was a ploughman from Inverness until he joined the Army. He was continually barracked by the drill instructors for having a 'rolling gait'. He is said to have been asked by a friend to take the Corporal behind the canteen and give him a hiding. He replied "Toot toots man, that would ne'er do. I intend to be in command of this regiment before I leave it. It would be an ill beginning to be brought before the Colonel for thrashing the drill Corporal." He was commissioned as Ensign on the 10th of August 1854 and promoted to Lieutenant the following 8th of December. He served in the Crimea from Christmas Day 1854 and was at the Siege and the Fall of Sebastopol, taking part in the assaults on the 18th of June and the 8thof September. He was actively involved in the Expedition to the Sea Of Azov and in the capture of Kertch and Yenicale. He collected the Medal, 5th Class, with clasp, of Medjidie as well as the Turkish Medal. He also served through the Indian Mutiny (1857-58) When he was commended on the action that won him the VC he commented, "It didna' tak me twenty minutes."
Additional information
During his army career he held every rank from Private to Major General. He was a ploughman from Inverness until he joined the Army. He was continually barracked by the drill instructors for having a 'rolling gait'. He is said to have been asked by a friend to take the Corporal behind the canteen and give him a hiding. He replied "Toot toots man, that would ne'er do. I intend to be in command of this regiment before I leave it. It would be an ill beginning to be brought before the Colonel for thrashing the drill Corporal." He was commissioned as Ensign on the 10th of August 1854 and promoted to Lieutenant the following 8th of December. He served in the Crimea from Christmas Day 1854 and was at the Siege and the Fall of Sebastopol, taking part in the assaults on the 18th of June and the 8thof September. He was actively involved in the Expedition to the Sea Of Azov and in the capture of Kertch and Yenicale. He collected the Medal, 5th Class, with clasp, of Medjidie as well as the Turkish Medal. He also served through the Indian Mutiny (1857-58) When he was commended on the action that won him the VC he commented, "It didna' tak me twenty minutes."
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Edinburgh (Grave)
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.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour William Mcbean by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.