The Black Watch was an elite military Regiment whose history stretches back almost three centuries. This website aims to provide comprehensive information on everything 'Black Watch' from the history of the Regiment to its current activities and exists to celebrate and sustain that unique heritage and tradition.
Private Edward Spence
Indian Mutiny
Fort Ruhya, 15th April 1858
Private Edward Spence would have been recommended to Her Majesty for the decoration of ‘The Victoria Cross’ had he survived. He and Lance-Corporal Thompson volunteered, at the attack on the fort of Ruhya on the 15th of April 1858, to assist Captain Café, commanding the 4th
Punjab Rifles, in bringing back the body of Lieutenant Willoughby from the top of the glacis.
Private Spence dauntlessly placed himself in an exposed position, so as to cover the party bearing away the body. He died on the 17th of the same month from the effects of the wounded which he received on the occasion.
The decoration earned by Private Spence was awarded to his relatives by His Majesty King Edward VII, the notification appearing in the London Gazette dated 15th January 1907.
The Black Watch Medal Roll, 1801-1911, John Stewart (Ed.), p 290
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