London Gazette - Major Clement Walker Heneage, V.C.
2nd September 1859

Major Clement Walker Heneage, V.C. was born in Compton Bassett, Wiltshire 6th March 1831, the son of George Heneage Walker-Heneage (the Member of Parliament for Devizes) and his wife Harriet. Educated at Eton and Christchurch College Oxford, he was gazetted into the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars as a Cornet on 10th August 1851. On 3rd September 1854, he became a Lieutenant, with which rank he rode in the Charge of the Light Brigade. He served throughout the Crimean War, being present at the Battles of Alma, Inkerman and Tchermaya, as well as the action at Mackenzie's Farm, the siege of Sebastopol and the Kenteh Expedition.

Heneage was a man of strong opinions. Writing after the Crimean War about the recriminations and accusations concerning the loss of the Light Brigade, he had little doubt where the blame lay, observing "It is wonderful to observe the way that fool the "British public" kicks a man directly he is down, as in the instance of unlucky Lucan. I always hated him, and so did the whole Cavalry Division, but for heaven's sake let a man have fair play - here is this unfortunate man catching it over the head and ears, merely because he obeyed an order given by the thick-headed Raglan through his still more stupid Q.M. (quartermaster) General Airey, who is about the worst of the whole headquarters staff".

After his return from the Crimea he was promoted to Captain on 12th May 1857, and once more set out on campaign, this time sailing for India with the Regiment from Cork on the S.S. Great Britain in October 1857. With the rebel leader, the Rhani of Jhansi, safe within the stronghold of Gwalior, the opposing force under Major General Sir Hugh Rose took up position on the plain below the town.

Heneage commanded a squadron of 8th Hussars who surprised the enemy with a flanking attack, catching them unawares. "There was no pretence of resistance any longer except from a slight, fully-armed figure that was helplessly whirled along in this cataract of men and horses. Again and again this one leader, gesticulating and vociferating, attempted to stem the torrent of routed rebels, but all in vain. There was no possibility of holding up the broken Mahrattas, and at last a chance shot struck down, across his horse's neck, this one champion of the retreating force. A moment later the swaying figure was overtaken, and one stroke from a Hussar's sabre ended the whole matter. There was no time to halt, for the victory had to be pressed home; but as the Squadron returned, it was discovered that it was the Rhani of Jhansi herself who had thus ended her meteoric career".

The citation for the Victoria Cross appeared in the London Gazette of 26th January 1859. It reads :- "Selected for the Victoria Cross by their companions. In the gallant charge made by a Squadron of the Regiment at Gwalior on 17th June 1858, when supported by a division of the Bombay Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's 95th Regiment, they routed the enemy, who were advancing against Brigadier Smith's position, charged through the rebel camp into two batteries, capturing and bringing fire from the fort and town." (Field Force Orders by Major General Sir Hugh Henry Rose, G.C.B. Commanding Central India Field Force, dated Camp Gwalior 28th June 1858).

Supplements to the London Gazette have documented personal accounts of the circumstances of Captain Heneage's bravery and commanding officers of the Field Force from Jhansi, document their view of what went on at the time.

We start with an account by Lientenant-Colonal Thomas Hicks, at Camp Morar near Gwalior on the 25th June 1858, Commanding Artillary, Central India Field Force written to Brigadier Smith Commanding Rojpoolana Field Force. It reads:
Sir,
As commanding the field force from Jhansi in conjunction with your division, I have the honour to bring to your notice the good service done by the troops which you did me the honour to place under my command on the evening of the 17th June 1858, on my personal report to you that a body of the enemy were collected at the gorge of the pass leading to the plain in the direction of the Phool Bagh.

2. Captain Foster and Lieutenant Maurice with a company of the 95th Regiment, crowned the bill on each side, and with a shout opened fire : the horsemen immediately broke from under the hill : the Hussars, led by myself and Captain Heneage, charged with one squadron, overcame and slew numbers, captured two guns, and continued the charge right through the Phool Bagh Cantonment, leaving bungalows and camp equipage in our possession.

3. But we had advanced too far without any support, and on its arrival it was I believe reported that the Hussars were not fit for a second immediate attack. Captain Heneage was certainly quite black in the face and unable to speak, although on his horse; it was a gallant charge and I am sure you will with pleasure report to the Major-General commanding Central India Field Force, the soldier-like conduct and good service done by Heneage, Foster and Maurice with their men

4. Since the capture of Gwalior it is well known that in this charge the Queen of Jhansi, disguised as a man, was killed by a Hussar, and the tree. shown where she was burnt.
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Hicks,
25th June 1858.

Another statement written in the London Gazette 25th July 1859 by Brigadier Smith from Camp Sepree reads:
In accordance with the wishes of Major-General Sir Hugh Rose, K.C.B., conveyed to me in your note, dated Pachesi, 11th July, that I should furnish an official statement of all the circumstances of the charge made by a squadron of the 8th Hussars, on the 17th of June, and evidence should be officially recorded.

I have the honour to state that on the afternoon of the 17th June, the enemy having been driven from the heights, we advanced through the pass which runs by the large canal or nullah, in the direction of Gwalior, some 200 or 300 of the enemy's cavalry being formed in front of Gwalior. I advanced with a squadron of the 8th Hussars, under Captain Heneage, and a division of guns, under Lieutenant LeCoeq, Bombay Artillery, into the open ground beyond the Pass, leaving orders that a company of the 10th Regiment Native Infantry, and a division of guns under an escort of gunners, should secure the mouth of the Pass, and a squadron of the 1st Bombay Lancers should move up in the open ground in support.

The squadron of the 8th Hussars advanced out of the Pass in file, and formed line at a gallop. After advancing about 300 yards, I ordered the squadron to charge. The squadron then charged, broke the enemy, and pursuing them closely entered their own camp along with them. The camp was soon cleared, and the 8th followed the fugitives, now increased by large numbers of panic-stricken infantry, from the camp into the ground beyond, and never stopped until all who remained had taken shelter in the outskirts of the town itself.

In so doing the 8th took five guns, cutting down the gunners, the Ranee of Jhansi also lost her life in the melee. All this took place under a heavy fire from the guns of the fort, and from several field guns in position round the town and from which was opened a converging fire upon the squadron.

During the charge, Colonel Raines, of Her Majesty's 95th Regiment, brought up a portion of his regiment and took up a position on the left flank of Lieutenant LeCoeq's division of guns; I having sent him an order to that effect by Cornet Goldsworthy, 8th Hussars.

I shall next record the statement of Captain Heneage who commanded the squadron, and also some evidences collected by him as to further particular and details.”

Statement and evidences collected by Captain Heneage
Captain Heneage's squadron of 8th Hussars was ordered by Brigadier Smith to attack some 200 or 300 of the enemy's cavalry who were threatening our guns. They advanced out of the Pass in file and formed line at a gallop. After advancing some 300 yards they were ordered to charge, which they did and were upon the enemy in a moment, many of whom were cut down, and the rest flew towards the town; the ground here being very rough and intersected with small nullahs, about one-third of the squadron was obliged to diverge to the right under Lieutenant Harding, the remainder, under Captain Heneage, with Captain Poore and Lieutenant Reiley, going a little to the left, and continuing the attack came shortly into the midst of the enemy's camp, where they took 3 guns, cutting down the gunners, and completely clearing the camp of the enemy's troops, under a continuous fire from the guns of the fort, and small field guns on the right and left.

After passing through the camp, and crossing the road from Gwalior to Moorar, the squadron came upon a large force of the enemy's cavalry and infantry, in a disorganised mass, who were trying to escape from the camp into the fort. Many of them made a stand, but the 8th never slackened their pace, and, dashing into the midst of them, cut them down by scores, the Ranee of Jhansi being amongst the shin ; 2 guns were taken here.

The whole of the ground over which the charge had been made being now completely cleared of the enemy, Captain Heneage withdrew his squadron at an easy pace, and was shortly joined by the detachment under Lieutenant Harding, which had charged through the right of the camp, cutting down many of the enemy's gunners and infantry, and had taken 4 guns. Lieutenant Harding, was shot at by a dismounted sowar, who missed him, but the shot struck his charger in the eye and completely destroyed it. He was attacked at the same time by two of the enemy's infantry, whom he cut down and killed.

Captain Heneage, then halted and reformed his squadron in front of the supports of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, Which had meanwhile come up, and was then ordered by Brigadier Smith, to form his men in single rank in order to show a large front.

The squadron of the 8th being then formed in single rank on the right flank of artillery and infantry, the squadron of lancers in second line we again advanced in order to secure the enemy's guns ; after that Captain Heneage was obliged to relinquish the command of the squadron, in consequence of the heat of the sun and great exhaustion. Captain Poore assumed the command, and remained with the squadron until the guns were brought away.

Colonel Hicks, of the Bombay Artillery, charged with the squadron through the camp, Lieutenant Reily upon the return of the squadron from the charge, was obliged to dismount from his horse and died almost immediately from the effects of the sun and exhaustion. Assistant-Surgeon Sheilock charged with the squadron, was wounded by a musket ball in the shoulder, he was ready and active in affording his assistance when required.

Cornet Goldsworthy was on my left, and in front of the squadron, when preparing to charge, and was about to charge with them, when I, in consequence of the very great necessity of having support up quick, ordered him to go back and bring up the horse artillery and infantry, to a spot which I had pointed out to him, which he did; this officer gave me much assistance, both on the 17th and 19th, in carrying my orders and other matters.

Several of the enemy's guns remained in our possession after the charge, but from want of horses and exhaustion of men, only two could be got away, and it was only through the exertion and skill of Lieutenant LeCoeq, and the men of his division (the right division of the 3rd troop under the personal superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Blake) that this could be effected.

One of the enemy's guns had a limber and a pair of wheel horses. The broken harness was lashed up in the best way circumstances would admit of, and a leading pair of our own horses hooked to the gun was sent to the rear ; the wheel horses were got to move with great difficulty, being completely done up, and one severely wounded.

The other gun had no limber, but Colonel Blake having taken back one of his own guns to the entrance of the Pass, left the gun within it, and sending back the limber, the enemy's was booked on it and brought to the entrance of the Pass, when our gun was lashed to the muzzle and thus drawn off.

These operations were conducted with great coolness and steadiness, under four cross fires from the fort and guns in different directions on the place.

This being effected and seeing the enemy collecting upon our flanks, and having too small a force at my disposal to warrant my advancing further or to enable me to hold my position, if I had done so, we retired across the plain by alternate squadrons and re-entering the Pass, took up a position for the night, as stated in my former report of the operations during the 17th.

I have, &c.,
M. W. SMITH, Brigadier,
Commanding Brigade, M. D.