Henry William Engleheart

Henry William Engleheart
Born 14 November 1863
Blackheath, London
Died 9 August 1939 (aged 75)
Datchet, Berkshire
Buried Woking Crematorium
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Rank Quartermaster Sergeant
Unit 10th Royal Hussars
Battles/wars Second Boer War
Awards Victoria Cross

Henry William Engleheart VC (14 November 1863 – 9 August 1939) 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

Engleheart was 36 years old, and a sergeant in the 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own), British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

At dawn on the 13th March, 1900, the party that had destroyed the railway north of Bloemfontein had to charge through a Boer piquet and get over four deep spruits, in order to make their way back through the Boer lines. At the fourth spruit Sapper Webb's horse failed to get up the bank and he was left in a very dangerous position. In face of a very heavy rifle and shell fire, and, notwithstanding the great chance of being cut off, Sergeant Engleheart returned to Sapper Webb's assistance. It took some time to get the man and his horse out of the sluit and the position became momentarily more critical owing to the advance of the Boers. He was, however, at last successful, and, retiring slowly, to cover Webb's retreat, was able to get him safely back to the party. Shortly before this, Sergeant Engleheart had shown great gallantry in dashing into the first spruit, which could only be reached in single file and was still full of Boers hesitating whether to fly or fire. Had they been given time to rally, they must have destroyed the small party of British, as they outnumbered them by 4 to 1.[1]

Further information

Englehart was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Barnet.[2]

He later achieved the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The King's Royal Hussars Museum in Winchester.

References

  1. ↑ "No. 27235". The London Gazette. 5 October 1900. p. 6126.
  2. ↑ Queen Elizabeth's, Barnet 1573-1973 (1973)
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