John Heath

On February 28 1900, the Worthing Gazette announced the death of John Heath, a former officer with the Brighton Borough Police Force. Nothing unusual in that perhaps, but before his twenty-five year career in the force John Heath had led a rather remarkable life.

John Heath's death was reported in the Worthing Gazette on 28th February 1900, which reads, 

"An Adventurous Career 

A Former Member of the Brighton Borough Police Force, John Heath by name, has just died at the age of fifty-nine years, and after a most Adventurous career. He survived in the American Navy throughout the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, receiving no fewer than thirteen bullet wounds, and was pensioned by the Government of the United States. After the close of the conflict in America. Mr Heath came to England and applied himself to civil pursuits, becoming a member of the Brighton Police. His service in that force lasted for twenty-five years, and he retired with a pension in March 1894."

Claiming he was born in Baltimore (he was actually born in Deptford), twenty-year old John enlisted into the American Navy in 1861 to fight in the Civil War, serving aboard the USS Owasco. He was seriously wounded in Texas the following year and discharged from service, but not letting this hold him back, he re-enlisted under the name Thomas Steward in 1863. By the time he was discharged in 1865, John had received no less than thirteen different bullet wounds during his service in the American Navy. He returned to England and joined the Brighton Borough Police Force in 1869, serving until 1894. His son, also John Heath, was an officer in the same force.

The Letter of recommendation dated March 28th 1863.

Photo of John Heath in his Naval Uniform

The Application of a US Naval Pension dated 7th May 1863

John Heath’s story is one of many brought to light by The Monumental Project, who aim to remember the lives of the British men and women who fought in the American Civil War. The team have uncovered various documents that have revealed John’s journey, including a letter to commend John’s ‘uniform good conduct and correct moral deportment’ from the Chaplain of the Naval Hospital in New York, where he was sent after being injured on the USS Owasco, a document confirming the re-enlistment of Thomas Steward in 1863, the announcement of his death in the Worthing Gazette and a striking photograph of the young John in naval uniform, looking confidently into the camera.  

Photo of ropework cosh made by John Heath during his naval service

John Heath re-enlistment form details under the name of Thomas Steward.

The entry from the 1891 UK census.