Personal: Born in 1832 at Winchester. He joined the 2nd Battn 60th Royal Rifles, as Ensign, 16 May, 1856; became Lieutenant 60th Royal Rifles (King's Royal Rifle Corps) 22 June, 1858, and served in the campaign of 1857-58, against the Mutineers in India, including actions on the Hindun, Battle of Budli-Re-Serai and taking the heights before Delhi. Lord Roberts says in "Forty one Years in India (page 136) "Home of the Engineers, the hero of the Kashmir Gate exploit, first advanced with some sappers and blew in the outer gate. At this, the last struggle for the capture of Delhi, I wished to be present, so attached myself for the occasion to a party of the 60th Rifles, under the command of Ensign Alfred Heathcote. As soon as the smoke of the explosion cleared away, the 60th, supported by the 4th Punjab Infantry, sprang through the gateway; but we did not get very far, for there was a second door beyond, chained and barred, which was, with difficulty, forced open and the whole party rushed in. The recesses in thelong passage which led to the palace buildings were crowded with wounded men but there was very little opposition; only a few fanatics still held out. One of these - a Mahomedan sepoy in the uniform of a Grenadier of the 37th Native Infantry - stood quietly about thirty yards up the passage, with his musket on his hip. As we approached he slowly raised his weapon and fired, sending a bullet through McQueen's helmet. The brave fellow then advanced at the charge and was - of course - shot down. So ended the 20th Sept., a day I am never likely to forget." This was the last day of Alfred Heathcote's services in the Siege of Delhi, which were so great that the duration of the whole siege is given as the date of his Act of Bravery. Lieut. Heathcote took part in the campaign in Rohilcund, including the actions of Bugawalla and Nugena, the relief of Moradabad, the action on the Dogma, assault and capture of Bareilly; attack and bombardment of Shahjehanpore, defeat of the rebels and relief of the garrison; capture of the town and fort of Bunnaif, pursuit of the enemy to the left bank of the Goomtee, and action at the Shahabad. The following is an extract from a memorandum, dated "14 March 1862. Cambridge Barracks, Portsmouth," by the Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 2nd Battn. 60th Rifles: "It is a source of great pleasure to me to have the opportunity of expressing the admiration I have always felt for Lieut. Alfred Heathcote. No one ever better deserved the Victoria Cross; he obtained it not only for one act, but for many acts during his active service, commencing with the march on Delhi. On one occasion an advanced post in Delhi was retained by his declaring to the officer in command, who wished to retire, that he could do so with his own men, but that he, Lieut. Heathcote, would endeavour to hold the post with six riflemen he had with him. On another occasion he made his way to the front with six men, supported by fourteen under my own command. He and his party killed eight or ten of the enemy. This was the first forward step taken after the Army had been three days in the portion of Delhi first occupied by it." He also received the Medal and Clasp. Lieut. Heathcote served in the China Campaign, for which he received the China Medal. He married Mary Harriet Thompson. He died in Bowral, New South Wales, on 21st February 1912, aged seventy-nine. His daughter, Miss Beatrice Heathcote, lived at Katcoomba, New South Wales.
Commemoration: Headstone.
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