1. Major-General William McBean was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
10 Facts About William McBean
1. 2.
William McBean was born in Inverness on New Year's Day, 1 January 1819, the son of John McBean, a shoemaker in Inverness, and his wife Ann Gordon.
3.
William McBean's father has been said to have been a ploughman, but General McBean's baptism record, and his parents' gravestone, placed there by him and his brother, confirms his father was a shoemaker.
4.
William McBean rose through the ranks and received a commission on 10 August 1854, at the rank of Ensign, being promoted to Lieutenant by December.
5.
William McBean received the Crimean Medal with clasp, and the Turkish Crimea Medal.
6.
William McBean was 39 years old, and a lieutenant in the 93rd Regiment of Foot, British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place at Lucknow, India for which he was awarded the VC.
7.
William McBean personally killed 11 people in hand-to-hand combat during the attack.
8.
William McBean was promoted to Captain a few months later on 16 August 1858.
9.
William McBean held every rank from private to major general, and never left the 93rd Regiment, including becoming the Commanding Officer of the 93rd Regimnent on 29 October 1873 in place of Colonel Burroughs CB.
10.
William McBean's wife died a few days after giving birth and the son died a few weeks after.