William Edward Heaton was born in Bickerstaffe nr Ormskirk in 1875.

Son of Robert & Alice Heaton. in the 1881 cencus below he is the eldest of three children with a brother Arthur, a sister Mary

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Biography of a local V.C.

1st Bn Kings Liverpool Regt, Rank Private.

Date of deed 23 August 1900.

Place Galuk, South Africa.

Died 5th June 1941 Southport, Lancashire.

Connections; Scarisbrick, Burscough, Southport.

Pte William Edward Heaton V.C.

This photograph was taken circa the Boer War and is the official photograph contemporary with his Victoria Cross.

Citation for the VC.

“At Galuk, S. A. on August 23rd 1900, Private Heaton’s company while advancing in front of the general line held by our troops was surounded, and coming under raking a fire was suffering most severly. The position becoming serious, the Commanding Officer requested Heaton to convey a message back, explaining the precarious situation in which the company stood, and asking for relief in the form of support. At the greatest possible risk Heaton succesfully accomplished his mission, and there is no doubt that but for his great courage in undertaking so hazardous a duty, his company would have had a very heavy death rolland been forced to surrender”

Below.

Ormskirk Advertiser 1915.

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 In ‘best’ dress of a Colour Sjt wearing his VC and South African QSA & KSA medals.

Ormskirk Advertiser 5th August 1915.

The Medal Card For L / Sjt. William Heaton 6th Kings (Liverpool) Regt.

1335 Lance Sjt. W. E. Heaton deployed with the 6th ‘Rifles’ The Kings Regiment on 24th February 1915, landing in France the day after, he saw action in the early battles in northern France & Flanders.

 His medal entitlement

VC, QSA 3 bars, KSA 2 Bars, 14/15 trio, LSGC.

He died in Southport on 5th June 1941, buried in St Peter & Paul Churchyard Ormskirk.