Alfred Spencer Heathcote

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person 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

Heathcote was born in 1832 in Middlesex,<ref name=census>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the son of Henry Spencer Heathcote<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref> and Anne Currie,<ref name="christening">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and nephew of Sir Frederick Currie, 1st Baronet and Vice-Admiral Mark John Currie. He was educated at Winchester College.<ref name=":2" />

In his youth, he was a page-in-waiting to Queen Victoria.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref>

Military career

Heathcote served in the 60th Rifles corps of the British Army.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1857, Heathcote was 25 and a lieutenant<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> when he fought in the Indian Mutiny and was awarded a Victorian Cross for bravery<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>{{#if:|

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— {{#if:|, in }}Template:Comma separated entries

}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Blockquote with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | author | by | char | character | cite | class | content | multiline | personquoted | publication | quote | quotesource | quotetext | sign | source | style | text | title | ts }}Heathcote also received a medal in 1860 for his service at the Battle of Taku Forts.<ref name=":3" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Heathcote resigned from the army in 1863<ref name=":0" /> and sold his commission.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Later life

Heathcote moved to Australia in 1864,<ref name=":3" /> where he invested unsuccessfully in land in Warwick, Queensland, Australia.<ref name=":0" /> In 1869, he was appointed the Warwick district registrar for births, deaths, and marriage.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=":0" /> Heathcote served briefly as Clerk of Petty Sessions at Hill End.<ref name=":0" />

Heathcote lived for a while in Orange,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> before a brief return to Sydney, finally settling in Bowral.<ref name=":0" />

Died

Heathcote died in Bowral on 21 February 1932<ref name=":0" /> and was buried at Bowral Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Mary Harriet Heathcote, whom he had married in 1859,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> one son and five daughters.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Legacy

Heathcote's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Victoria Barracks in Sydney.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See also

• Heathcote (surname)