Allegiance United Kingdom Rank Major General Service/branch British Army | Name William McBean Awards Victoria Cross Role Armed force officer | |
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Buried at Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh Battles/wars Crimean War
Indian Mutiny Died June 23, 1878, Shooter's Hill, United Kingdom Battles and wars Crimean War, Indian Rebellion of 1857 Similar People Lalbahadur Thapa, Karanbahadur Rana, Frederick George Dancox, Kulbir Thapa | ||
Place of burial Edinburgh, United Kingdom | ||
Major-General William McBean (1 January 1818 – 23 June 1878) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Early Life
He was born in Inverness on New Year's Day, 1 January 1818. He was the son of a ploughman and originally followed in his father's footsteps as a ploughman.
Around 1835 he enlisted as a private in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He rose through the ranks and received a commission on 10 August 1854, at the rank of Ensign, being promoted to Lieutenant by December. In December 1854 he sailed to the Crimea and took part in the Siege of Sebastopol and the assaults on Redan on 18 June and 8 September 1855. He received the Crimean Medal with clasp, and the Turkish Crimea Medal.
Serving in the Indian Mutiny over and above his actions at Lucknow, he was present at the defeat of the Gwalior Contingent at Cawnpore, the affair at Kalee Nuddee, the affair of Alligunge, and Battle of Bareilly and the evacuation of the fort at Mithowli.
The Victoria Cross
He was 40 years old, and a lieutenant in the 93rd Regiment of Foot (later Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - Princess Louise's), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the VC.
Lieutenant and Adjutant, (now Captain) William McBean
Date of Act of Bravery, 11th March, 1858
For distinguished personal bravery in killing eleven of the enemy with his own hand in the main breach of the Begum Bagh at Lucknow, on the 11th March, 1858.
He personally killed 11 people in hand to hand combat during the attack. Afterwards he casually stated "it only took me twenty minutes". He was promoted to Captain a few months later on 16 August 1858. Queen Victoria agreed the award on 24 December and he received the Victoria Cross on the parade ground at Umbeyla from Major General Robert Garrett on 6 February 1859.
Further information
He held every rank from private to major general, and never left the 93rd Regiment, including becoming the Commanding Officer of the 93rd.
He died at Shooter's Hill in London on 23 June 1878 but was buried with his wife, Victoria Beveridge (d.1871) and infant son, Henry Gordon Victor McBean, in Grange Cemetery in south Edinburgh. His wife died a few days after giving birth and the son died a few weeks after. The grave lies to the east side of the eastern path, just south of its mid-point.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum in Stirling Castle, Scotland.