William Edward Heaton VC

On 23 Aug 1900, one company of the 1st Bn King’s Regiment was in advance of the army, and at Geluk they were surrounded by a large force of Boers. They were suffering heavy casualties so the company commander asked for a volunteer to take a message back to the main force. Private Heaton offered to go and set off on his dangerous mission. Avoiding capture and Boer bullets required great courage and resourcefulness, but he got through and the company was saved from their situation which would have ended with their surrender but for the reinforcements that arrived.
William Edward Heaton was born at Ormskirk on 2 Jan 1875, growing up in Bickerstaffe and Ormskirk, West Lancashire. He was the eldest of three children of Robert and Alice Heaton. He enlisted in the King’s Liverpool Regiment in 1899 and sailed out to South Africa with them. After the battle at Geluk, Private Heaton was recommended for the VC and it was gazetted on 18 Jan 1901. He was promoted to corporal and his medal was presented to him by the Duke of York (later George V) at Pietermaritzburg on 14 Aug 1901.
As well as the Victoria Cross, William Heaton received the Queen’s South Africa Medal with three clasps, which can be seen in the photo. The King’s South Africa medal was given to him later, with two clasps. At some stage he was married and lived in Bective Street, Liverpool. But his wife died and left him with two children.
He re-enlisted and served in the First World War in the 6th Battalion, King’s Liverpool, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was with the battalion at the battles of Hill 60, Neuve Chapelle and Festubert which depleted the unit of four fifths of its original strength.
After the war he spent time in hospital in Eastbourne, suffering from ‘exposure and privations’ in the trenches. But following his recovery he was appointed Sergeant Instructor at Blackpool. After his discharge he lived in Ormskirk and died in Southport Hospital on 5 June 1941. He was buried in Ormskirk Churchyard.

Regimental Details | Soldiers