William Edward Heaton

William Edward Heaton VC (1875- 5 June 1941) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was about 25 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, The King's (Liverpool) Regiment, British Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 23 August 1900 at Geluk, South Africa, a company of the 1st Battalion The King's (Liverpool) Regiment became surrounded by the enemy and was suffering severely. Private Heaton volunteered to take a message back to explain the position of the company and he carried out this mission successfully at imminent risk to his own life. Had it not been for his courage, the remainder of his company would almost certainly have had to surrender.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of sergeant.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the King's Regiment "(Liverpool, England)".

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/lancashi.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Lancashire)"
* [http://www.northwest.co.uk/kingsreg.htm The King's Regiment] "(regiment history)"