Henry Christopher Wise (born 1829)

Captain Henry Christopher Wise (1829 – 12 December 1854) was the highest-ranking British soldier who died in the Eureka rebellion.

Henry Christopher Wise
Born1829
Rome, Papal States (now Italy)
Died12 December 1854
(aged 25)
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
NationalityBritish
OccupationSoldier
Years active1852–1854
Known forLeading the 40th Regiment at the Battle of the Eureka Stockade
TitleCaptain
RelativesHenry Christopher Wise (father)

Wise was the son of Henry Christopher Wise, an English Conservative politician, and his first wife Harriett Skipwith. He became a captain in the British army, and arrived in Victoria with the 40th (the 2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot in 1852.[1]

Wise was sent to Ballarat in November 1854 to suppress the miners' opposition. He was shot in both legs during the Battle of the Eureka Stockade and died eighteen days later.[2] According to some eyewitness accounts, he was shot by Edward Thonen.[3]

A memorial plaque to Captain Wise was erected in All Saints' Church, Leek Wootton.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "Shipping Intelligence". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 20 October 1852. p. 4. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Specific Veteran Memorials: Henry Christopher Wise - All Saints' church - Leek Wootton, Warwickshire", waymarking.com, 16 November 2018, retrieved 23 October 2023
  3. ^ Short, A. (1 April 1899). "The Eureka Stockade. To the Editor of the Gympie Times". Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette. p. 5.

External links edit