Corporal Harry Churchill Beet

1st Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment
(Mounted Infantry)

22nd April 1900
 
 
 
Corporal Harry Churchill Beet VC
 
 

        Near Wakkerstroom, on April 22, 1900, No. 2 Mounted Infantry Co. (1st Derbyshire) and two squadrons Imperial Yeomanry were obliged to retire from their position, being under a ridge strongly held by the enemy. An Imperial Yeoman, Corporal Burnett, being shot, was left on the ground, on seeing which Beet went back, dragged him to cover, and attended to his wounds, keeping up whenever able such a hot fire on the enemy that they were prevented from approaching the post till after darkness had set in, when Dr. Wilson, Imperial Yeomanry, took charge of the wounded man. Not only during the retirement, but throughout the whole afternoon, Beet was exposed to a heavy fire.

     Son of Mr. J. A. Beet, sculptor, of Brackendale Farm, near Bingham, Notts, where he was born on April 1, 1873. Joined the Sherwood Foresters, February 18, 1892, embarking for India January, 1894, serving throughout the fighting on the Punjab Frontier, 1897-8 (medal and two clasps). During active service in South Africa was once wounded, December 9, 1901 ; was promoted Sergeant by Lord Kitchener for service in the field, April 4, 1900, gaining his Victoria Cross as above described while under immediate command of Captain P. Leverson-Gower, and Column - Commander Lieut.-Colonel Sitwell, D.S.O. The decoration was presented to him at the capital of Natal, August 14, 1901, by H.R.H. the Duke of York.

 

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