William Babtie (VC, KCB, KCMG) 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.

Details

He was 40 years old, and a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps, British Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 December 1899 at the Battle of Colenso , South Africa, Major Babtie rode up under heavy rifle fire to attend to the wounded who were lying in an advanced donga close to the rear of the guns. When he arrived at the donga, he attended to them all, going from place to place, exposed to the heavy rifle fire which greeted anyone who showed himself. Later in the day Major Babtie went out with another officer (Walter Norris Congreve) to bring in a Lieutenant (Frederick Hugh Sherston (The Hon.) Roberts) who was lying wounded on the veldt -- this also under very heavy fire.

He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant General.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum (Aldershot, England).

Reference

• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• SCOTLAND'S FORgotten VALOUR (Graham Ross, 1995)
• Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)

External links

• Lieutenant Colonel W. Babtie
• Location of grave and VC medal (Surrey)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.