Henry Christopher Wise (British Army officer)

This article is about the British soldier born in 1829. For other people named his father, see Henry Christopher Wise (politician).
Henry Christopher Wise
Born1829
Rome, Papal States (now Italy)
Died12 December 1854
(aged 25)
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1847–1854
RankCaptain
Unit40th Regiment of Foot
Battles / warsEureka Rebellion (DOW)
RelationsHenry Christopher Wise (father)
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Captain Henry Christopher Wise (1829 – 12 December 1854) was the highest-ranking British soldier who died in the Eureka rebellion.

Wise was the son of Henry Christopher Wise, an English Conservative politician, and his first wife Harriett Skipwith. He was edjucated at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, being commissioned Ensign in the 40th Regiment of Foot in 1847.[1] He became Lieutenant in 1849 and was assigned as Adjutant.[2] The regiment was sent from England to serve in Australia, and arrived in Victoria in 1852.[3] In the following year he was promoted to Captain.[4]

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.[5] According to some eyewitness accounts, he was shot by Edward Thonen.[6]

A memorial plaque to Captain Wise was erected in All Saints' Church, Leek Wootton.[5]

  1. ^ "Promotions and Appointments". United Service Magazine and Naval Military Journal. 56: 313. 1848. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  2. ^ "40th (the 2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot". The New Army List. 44: 91. 1849. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Shipping Intelligence". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 20 October 1852. p. 4. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  4. ^ "December 23". The London Gazette: 3747. 1853. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Specific Veteran Memorials: Henry Christopher Wise - All Saints' church - Leek Wootton, Warwickshire", waymarking.com, 16 November 2018, retrieved 23 October 2023
  6. ^ Short, A. (1 April 1899). "The Eureka Stockade. To the Editor of the Gympie Times". Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette. p. 5.