Gilbert Redvers Heathcote Papers

The papers include a volume of letters transcribed by Mabel Heathcote in 1941, from those originally written by her husband, Lt. Gilbert Redvers Heathcote, to his family during the Kaffir and Zulu wars, 1878-1879. These transcripts are accompanied by a sketchbook containing original drawings by Lt. Gilbert Redvers Heathcote, mainly of military scenes in Africa, 1879.

Sir Gilbert Redvers Heathcote Bart. was born on 25 December 1854. He joined the 90th Regiment of the Perthshire Light Infantry in 1875 (the 90th amalgamated with the 26th Cameronian Regiment in 1881 to form The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)), acheiving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and participating in the British military campaigns against the Kaffirs and Zulus in Africa. In 1891, Heathcote married his first wife, Pauline, and the following year he retired. Sadly, his wife died in 1897. He re-married, to Mabel, in 1901. During retirement, he held the office of JP in Hampshire, and was High Sheriff of the county in 1927. He died on 6 November 1937.

The papers may be consulted through application by e-mail to: archives@aber.ac.uk or by post to: Aberystwyth University, Archives, Information Services, Llandinam Building, Penglais, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB. Tel: 01970 628593.

The papers were originally presented to the Depot of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) via General Sir Eric [Sidwood?]. They were then subsequently donated to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, by General [Sidwood?] in April 1942.

Description compiled by Rhian Phillips, Archives Hub project archivist, with reference to Who Was Who, 1929-1940, (London: Adam and Charles Black, 1941).

Basic finding aid available on request from Archives staff.

Battalion War Diaries of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) are to be found in the Public Record Office, Kew, London. Material relating to the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry and the Cameronians is held at the Low Parks Museum, Hamilton, Scotland.

The original letters written by Gilbert Redvers-Heathcote remain in the possession of the Heathcote family.