THE GRAVE AND HEADSTONE OVER THE BURIAL PLOT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR HENRY MARSHMAN HAVELOCK-ALLAN VC IN THE HARLEY STREET CEMETERY, RAWALPINDI. HAS BEEN REFURBISHED.
16 April 2020

Following his death at the hands of the Afridis Sir Henry Marshman Havelock-Allan's body was taken to Rawalpindi by members of the Royal Irish Regiment and was buried in the city's Harley Street Cemetery.

Towards the end of 2019 a retired Pakistan army officer, Brigadier Simon Sharaf, decided to refurbish Sir Henry's grave and clean the headstone. Therefore, I believe it is appropriate to include an image of Brigadier Sharaf following his efforts to renovate the grave and the surrounding area.



Towards the end of 1897 Sir Henry Havelock-Allan travelled to India to inquire into the justice or otherwise, of certain criticisms which had been made on the state of discipline in the 2nd Bn, Royal Irish Regiment. Whilst in India he was attached to Sir William Lockhart's punitive expedition to the Khyber Pass and was provided with an escort by that General who he promised to run no uncessary risks. But habit was too strong; he constanlty rode ahead of his escort, and on 30th December 1897, was reported as missing. His dead body was discovered later. He had been shot by the Afridis.

For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 15 January 1858 ], Cawnpore, Indian Mutiny, 16 July 1857, Lieutenant Henry Marshman Havelock, 10th Regiment ( Lincolnshire Regiment ). ( Gazetted as Lieutenant Henry Marshman Havelock, Captain, 18th Regiment ( Royal Irish Regiment ).

In the combat at Cawnpore, Lieutenant Havelock was my Aide-de-camp. The 64th Regiment had been much under artillery fire, from which it had severely suffered. The whole of the infantry were lying down in line, when, perceiving that the enemy had brought out the last reserved gun, a 24-pounder, and were rallying round it, I called up the regiment to rise and advance.

Without any other word from me, Lieutenant Havelock placed himself on his horse. In front of the centre of the 64th, opposite the muzzle of the gun. Major Stirling, commanding the regiment, was in front, dismounted, but the Lieutenant continued to move steadily on in front of the regiment at a foot pace, on his horse.

The gun discharged shot until the troops were within a short distance, when they fired grape. In went the corps, led by the Lieutenant, who still steered steadily on the gun’s muzzle until it was mastered by a rush of the 64th.

( Extract of a telegram from the late Major-General Sir Henry Havelock to the Commander-in-Chief in India, dated Cawnpore, August 18th, 1857 )

Henry Havelock was invested with his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace on 8th June 1859.


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At some time during his career Henry Marshman Havelock-Allan misplaced and / or lost his Victoria Cross and campaign medals. For the full story on this mystery click on this link Henry Havelock-Allan medals

Medal entitlement of Lieutenant General Sir Henry Havelock-Allan,
10th Regiment ( Lincolnshire Regiment )

  • Victoria Cross
  • Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Bath ( GCB )
  • India General Service Medal ( 1854-95 )
    • 1 clasp:
    • "Persia"
    Indian Mutiny Medal ( 1857-58 )
    • 2 clasps:
    • "Relief of Lucknow" - "Lucknow"
  • New Zealand Medal ( 1860-66 )
  • Queen Victoria Jubilee Medal ( 1897 )

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Iain Stewart, 16 April 2020