More on Major General Sir Henry Havelock

Major General Sir Henry Havelock was born at Ford Hall, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland , the son of a wealthy shipbuilder, and educated at Charterhouse (A Carthusian monastery). He joined the army as a 20-year-old and went to India (A republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947) eight years later.

He was noted for his recapture of Kanpur from rebels during the Indian Mutiny (Discontent with British administration in India led to numerous mutinies in 1857 and 1858; the revolt was put down after several battles and sieges (notably the siege at Lucknow)). In 1857 he relieved Lucknow from siege, (The British residents of Lucknow were besieged by Indian insurgents during the Indian Mutiny (1857)) but was caught in another siege. He died of dysentery (An infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhoea) a few days after it was lifted.

A statue of Havelock stands in Trafalgar Square . The plaque on the plinth reads To Major General Sir Henry Havelock KCB and his brave companions in arms during the campaign in India 1857. Soldiers, your labours, your privations, your suffering and your valour, will not be forgotten by a grateful country. It was inaugurated in front of 'the greatest multitude of people that ever assembled,' on 21 May, 1861 .

Havelock Cap

During the Civil War soldiers on both sides were given the havelock, a cap cover made popular by Sir Henry Havelock of the British army in the Sepoy Rebellion in India in 1857. Made of white linen or cotton, the havelock was to be worn over the soldier's cap with its long tail covering the man's neck. The havelock was supposed to protect men who were fighting in hot climates from sunstroke. But the soldiers found the havelock actually made them hotter by not allowing air to circulate around their head and neck. Many Civil War soldiers used their havelocks not as cap covers, but as coffee strainers, dishcloths, or gun patches.

What's In A Name? When in Havelock, or if you're only passing by, Have you ever wondered, or asked yourself why It was given this most unusual name? And do you know of its historical fame? Around Eighteen Thirty Seven, many long years ago, When the Indian Mutiny was all of a "Go"! General, Sir Henry Havelock, saw soldiers suffering the heat, Offered them a helmet with flap, one piece complete! To beat the mutiny, General Havelock had this one Great idea, ensuring the unpleasant job got done! By adding a small piece of cloth, it did the trick, And prevented the sun from making soldiers sick! Thus Sir Henry played his part in Britain's destiny, While the army was putting down the Indian Mutiny, Proving successful it saved many from untimely demise, For they remained alert, and were never taken by surprise! As inventor of the " Havelock" cap it's no great mystery! That it is the General's name, we remember in history. And it is in his honour, Havelock was named that day, As we hope you'll recall, when passing by this way! Rhymer, March 1997. ©

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