43rd Monmouthshire Light Infantry

[helachau]

The "Waterloo Medal Roll" lists a "Wm Byam" with links to Antigua. But he is not the "William George Mimson Byam" died 1853. The notes to the Medal Roll has "Wm" still living 1862.

[consignee]

Just had a quick look at your reference book and in the appendix No. 4.—Genealogy of the Byam Family:

William Byam, son and heir, of Cedar Hill, and Sunny Hill, co. Pembroke, member of the privy council, Antigua, m. 26 June, 1766, Martha, dau. of Edward Rogers, of Lanwnda, in Pembrokeshire, died, and was buried at St. George’s, Antigua, 1 Oct. 1779, leaving issue,
i. Edward, son and heir.
ii. Samuel, D.D. of University Coll., Oxford, vicar of Catterick, co. York, and chaplain in ordinary to George III., born in 1769, and m. Jane, dau. of John Welsh, of the island of St Christopher’s, dying at Brusselles, 24 April, 1816, leaving issue,
1. William-Geo.-Munton, born 5 Aug. 1804, late lieut. in 43rd Light Infantry.

So have established that George Byam attained the rank of Captain in the 43rd, born 1804 and died 1853.

Excellent, thank you.

[helachau]

Family Search has a christening record for a William George Merton Byam, 6 Sep 1804, at Wyke Regis, Dorset, parents Samuel and Jane Alice Byam

Looking at the original death registration for William George Mimson 1853 (as transcribed by FreeBMD), it looks like "Munton" rather than Mimson?

[consignee]

Many thanks to Owl and helachau for their great help on this and promptness of reply. Apologies for posting this question in the wrong category. Captain Byam was too young to serve in the Napoleonic Wars.

I haven't read his books in entirety but he has a good style and sure that his experiences in Central America are well worth reading.

[consignee]

Is there a cause of death? He was under 50 years, too young. In another reference, his name is given as:

"William-Geo.-Munton, born 5 Aug. 1804, late lieut. in 43rd Light Infantry."

Thanks for all your help.

[helachau]

Google Books "A List of the Officers of the Army and the Corps of Royal Marines on Full, Retired and Half Pay - 1833

43rd (or the Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot
Rank - Lieutenant
Name - William G - Byam
Date of Rank in Army - 13 May 1826
Date of Rank in Regt - 30 Dec 1826

[consignee]

Thank you for posting on this reference book. Also found the original death documentation on FreeBDM and see what you mean about deciphering the handwriting.

[helachau]

London Gazette, 19 Jan 1827
43rd Regt of Foot- Ensign William G. Byam to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Sir Richard Fletcher, promoted. Dated 30 Dec 1826.

Cannot provide details of "cause of death".

He married sometime between Jan and Mar 1845, Registration District St Giles. Bride would be one of Mary Ann Hedgecock, Louisa Catherine Newton, Emily Catherine Rich or Mary Ann Wadsworth

[helachau]

The last London Gazette reference I can find is 13 Mar 1835
43rd Foot Lieutenant John Thomas William Jones, from half-pay Unattached, to be Lieutenant, vice William G Byam, who exchanges. Dated 13 March 1835

[consignee]

Have put together a biographical note for our catalogue record which I hope does justice to the good Captain. Due to time and space restraints, it is not comprehensive by any means but a great improvement on the information in the old record, simply Byam, George. The intention is to give Capt. Byam a rightful profile and provide the user of the catalogue with information useful for further research.

George Byam (1804-1853) was a British Army officer born at Wyke Regis in Dorset, England as William George Munton Byam. He is a direct descendant of George and Louisa Byam of Antigua as featured in the painting by Thomas Gainsborough titled the "Byam Family" (1762-66). His father, Samuel Byam was the Vicar of Catterick in County York and chaplain in ordinary to George III. In 1826, he joined the 43rd (or the Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot and is listed in military records as Lieutenant William G. Byam. The 43rd Regiment was active between 1741 and 1881. When Byam joined the regiment, they were serving in Gibraltar. From 1830-1836, the 43rd were in England, then sent to serve in Canada under the command of Sir John Colborne. They took part in the suppression of the Canadian Rebellions in 1837. In December 1837, the regiment marched 370 miles in severe weather conditions from Fredericton to Quebec. In eighteen days, they covered the mountainous, heavily forested terrain and crossed frozen rivers. The march received great attention in Canada and won high praise and admiration from the Duke of Wellington. The regiment left Canada in 1846 and were stationed back in the south of England, then on to Ireland until 1851. Byam's death notice appears in the "Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette", 27 January, 1853. It records that he died January 20th, at Duppas Hill, Croydon, late Captain in H.M. 43rd Regiment.