On 23 August 1900 Private William Edward Heaton of the Liverpool Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross.
General Buller was advancing towards the eventual battle of Bergendal, when two companies of the Liverpool Regiment were cut off from the main force and subjected to heavy rifle fire from the surrounding Boers. Private Heaton volunteered to get a message to the main force, and, because of his action, many lives were saved. The regiment lost 10 killed and 48 wounded in action.
