Clement Walker Heneage


Clement Walker-Heneage, VC was a British Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early life

Walker-Heneage was born in 1831, the eldest son of George Heneage Walker Heneage, the Member of Parliament for Devizes from 1838 to 1857.

Army career

Entering the British Army, Walker-Heneage served with the 8th Hussars in the Crimean War, and was present at many engagements of that campaign, including the battles of Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, Tchernaïa, and the Siege of Sevastopol. He rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava.
At the close of the Crimean War Walker-Heneage proceeded to India with his regiment, which took part in suppressing the Indian Mutiny in Rajputana and Central India. He was present at the capture of Kotah, the reoccupation of Chundaree, the battle of Kotah ke Serai, the capture of Gwalior and of Powree, the battle of Sindwaho, and the action of Koorwye and Naharghur

Victoria Cross

Walker-Heneage was 27 years old, and a captain in the 8th Hussars, during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 17 June 1858 at Gwalior, British India, Captain Heneage – together with Sergeant Joseph Ward, Farrier George Hollis and Private John Pearson – was in a charge made by a squadron of the 8th Hussars.
His citation reads:

Later life

Walker-Heneage retired from the army in 1868. He succeeded to the family estates on his father's death in 1875, and "devoted himself to the life and duties of a country gentleman" in Wiltshire. He was appointed High Sheriff of Wiltshire for 1887.
Walker-Heneage died, suddenly, at his residence Compton House, Compton Bassett, Wiltshire, on 9 December 1901, and is buried in St Swithin's churchyard, Compton Bassett.

Family

Walker-Heneage married, in 1865, Henrietta Vivian, daughter of H. Vivian, of Singleton, Glamorgan, with whom he had one daughter and four sons. Their son Algernon became a Royal Navy admiral.