| William Goate | |
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from display in Derby Museum |
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| Born | 12 January 1836 Fritton, Norfolk |
| Died | 24 October 1901 (aged 65) Southsea, Portsmouth |
| Buried at | Highland Road Cemetery, Portsmouth |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 9th Lancers |
| Battles/wars | Indian Mutiny |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
William Goate (or Goat) VC (12 January 1836 – 24 October 1901) 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.
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Goate was 22 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 9th Lancers, British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 6 March 1858 at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the VC:
For conspicuous gallantry at Lucknow, on the 6th of March, 1858, in having dismounted, in the presence of a number of the enemy, and taken up the body of Major Smyth, 2nd Dragoon Guards, which he attempted to bring off the field, and after being obliged to relinquish it, being surrounded by the enemy's cavalry, he went a second time under a heavy fire to recover the body. Despatch from Major-General Sir James Hope Grant, K.C.B., dated 8th April, 1858.
He later achieved the rank of corporal.
Goate moved to Southsea in May 1900 having lived in Jarrow-on-Tyne and worked for 22 years in Palmers shipbuilding firm and that for 18 years he was a member of the Jarrow Company of the Volunteers in which he held the same rank as he did in the Lancers. He died aged 64 at 22 Leopold Street, Southsea, from cancer.[2]
Goat was buried in Highland Road Cemetery and the grave has been reused since. There was no headstone marking his grave which is located in Plot E, Row 5, Grave 20, but a memorial stone was erected in October 2003[3]
His Victoria Cross is displayed in the Regimental Museum of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers at Derby Museum, England.
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