William
Lance Corporal, 9th Lancers (Became The Queen's Royal)
- Register No.
- 453 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance Corporal all Lance-Corporals →
- Unit
- 9th Lancers (Became The Queen's Royal) all 9th Lancers (Became The Queen's Royal) VCs →
- London Gazette
- 24th December 1858 on this day → all of 1858 →
- Born
- 12th Jan 1836 at Long Stratton, Norfolk
- Died
- 24th October 1901 at Jarrow, County Durham
- Memorial / grave
- grave in Highland Rd., Cemetery, Portsmouth
- Medal held by
- the 9th/12th Lancers Museum
Digest of citation
On 6th March 1858 at Lucknow, India, Lance-Corporal Goat dismounted in the presence of the enemy in order to take up the body of a major, which he then attempted to take off the field, but was forced to relinquish as he was surrounded by hostile cavalry. He did not, however give up, but went a second time under heavy fire and recovered the body
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
William (later GOATE)(reg. No 453)
Lance Corporal 9th Lancers (Became The Queen's Royal).
London Gazetted on 24th December 1858
VC Medal's Custodian is 9th/12 Lancers Museum, The Strand, DERBY.
Born on: 12th Jan 1836 at Long Stratton, Norfolk.
Died on: 24th October 1901 at Jarrow, County Durham.
Memorial at grave in Highland Rd., Cemetery, Portsmouth. VCs Medal's Custodian is the 9th/12th Lancers Museum.
Citation reads On 6th March 1858 at Lucknow, India, Lance-Corporal Goat dismounted in the presence of the enemy in order to take up the body of a major, which he then attempted to take off the field, but was forced to relinquish as he was surrounded by hostile cavalry. He did not, however give up, but went a second time under heavy fire and recovered the body.
Additional information: He was later promoted to Corporal. The major, whose body was recovered was named Smyth of the 2nd Dragoon Guards. This was mentioned in the Despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant KCB, dated 8th April 1858. His Indian Mutiny medal and his Victoria Cross were sold in London seven months (May, 1902)after his death for £85.
Additional information
He was later promoted to Corporal. The major, whose body was recovered was named Smyth of the 2nd Dragoon Guards. This was mentioned in the Despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant KCB, dated 8th April 1858. His Indian Mutiny medal and his Victoria Cross were sold in London seven months (May, 1902)after his death for £85.
DERBY.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: grave in Highland Rd., Cemetery, Portsmouth
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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