William Edward Heaton

William Edward Heaton
Born	2 January 1875 Ormskirk, Lancashire
Died	5 June 1941 (aged 66) Southport
Buried	Ormskirk Parish Churchyard
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	The King's (Liverpool) Regiment
Battles / wars	Second Boer War World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross

William Edward Heaton VC (2 January 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

Heaton was 25 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, The King's (Liverpool) Regiment, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at Geluk, South Africa for which he was awarded the VC:

On the 23rd August, 1900, the Company to which Private Heaton belonged, advancing in front of the general line held by the troops, became surrounded by the enemy and was suffering severely. At the request of the Officer Commanding, Private Heaton volunteered to take a message back to explain the position of the Company. He was successful, though at the imminent risk of his own life. Had it not been for Private Heaton's courage there can be little doubt that the remainder of the Company, which suffered very severely, would have had to surrender.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of sergeant and served during World War I.

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

• Location of grave and VC medal (Lancashire)
• The King's Regiment (regiment history)