In memory of HAMOND WESTON GWYN

In memory of HAMOND WESTON GWYN,

General, Royal Marines, second son of

William Gwyn, Commander R.N., J.P., of

Tasburgh Hall, who died 18th Jan. 1898, aged 73.

 

Also GEORGIANA CATHERINE,

wife of the above, who died 16th March 1875, aged 45.

 

This Tablet is placed here by their children.

 

1824 – Birth……………………………

 

Two online family trees have him born 20th November 1824.

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1022.html

www.sewellgenealogy.com/p243.htm

 

The baptism appears to have taken place the next day, with parents listed as William, Lieutenant Royal Navy, and Mary, at St Mary, Tasburgh.

tinstaafl.co.uk/nbp/Church_Pages/tasburgh.htm

www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818b00ce93790eca3a30d5...

www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818b020e93790eca3a3325...

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939F-RDJ6-T?i=6&c...

 

1841 Census of England and Wales……………….

 

While Hamonds’ parents were recorded living at Tasburgh, along with a number of children, he himself does not appear to be recorded anywhere in England and Wales. However, although he wasn’t commissioned until later in 1841, (see below), he could well have been serving as a Midshipman, and therefore possibly at sea.

 

In “A Naval Biographical Dictionary – Volume 1”, by William R. O’Byrne, originally published in 1849, there is a piece on his father, William Gwyn, who served in the Navy between 1808 and 1817. It ends with the following:-

Lieut. Gwyn is a Magistrate for the county of Norfolk. He married Mary, daughter of Edw. Rudge, Esq., by whom he has issue five sons and seven daughters. One of the former, Hamond Weston Gwyn, Esq., First-Lieutenant R.M. (1845), is now serving on board the TRAFALGAR.

books.google.co.uk/books?id=31q-BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA439&amp...

 

The 1846 Harts Army List records that he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Marines on the 6th July 1841, being promoted First Lieutenant on the 16th August in what appears to be the same year. He has 5 years service.

books.google.co.uk/books?id=0-cNAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA1-PA196...

 

(I suspect that should be 1845 – the 1843 Harts Army List still shows him as a Second Lieutenant).

books.google.co.uk/books?id=BwkuRZuFGgAC&pg=RA2-PA296...

 

1851 Census of England and Wales……………….

 

The 26 year old “Hammond” Weston Gwyn, born Tasburgh Lodge, Norfolk, was one of a group of Royal Marine Officers recorded in quarters at Woolwich, London, Kent.

 

24th February 1854: Appointed Captain……………………….

(File in papers for the Royal Marine Artillery.)

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8114930

 

(This seems to be a family name – a Hamond Weston Gwyn was appointed General in the Royal Marines on the 6th July 1841.)

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8112751

 

1854 – Marriage………………………..

 

An online family tree records that he married a Georgina Catherine Harris in 1854, but there were other spouses.

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1022.html

 

The marriage of a Hamond Weston Gwyn to a Georgiana Catherine Harris was recorded in the Lewisham District of London in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1854. (Source GRO index of Marriages for England and Wales).

 

1855 – Birth of son Hamond William…….

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

The birth of Hamond William Gwyn was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Lewisham, London, in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1855.

 

The baptism of a Hamond William Gwyn, born 23rd September 1855, took place at St Margaret, Lee, Kent, on the 8th November 1855. Parents were Hamond Weston and Georgiana Catherine.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JQ2C-YQR

 

 

Crimean War Service……………………..

 

Captain Gwynn served with the R.M. Brigade in the Crimea in 1855, and was also at the surrender of Kinbourn (Medal and Clasp).

(This was apparently originally in the Harts Annual Army list of 1859).

cwrs.russianwar.co.uk/cwrs-R-RMbrigade-officers-WS.html

 

The same site has him first landed in the Crimea on the 13th September 1855.

cwrs.russianwar.co.uk/cwrs-R-RMBrigade.html

 

The Battle of Kinburn was a combined land-naval engagement during the final stage of the Crimean War. It took place on the tip of the Kinburn Peninsula (on the south shore of the Dnieper River estuary in what is now Ukraine) on 17 October 1855. During the battle, a combined fleet of vessels from the French Navy and the British Royal Navy bombarded Russian coastal fortifications after it had been besieged by an Anglo-French ground force. Three French ironclad batteries bore the brunt of the attack, which saw the main Russian fortress destroyed in an action that lasted about three hours.

 

The battle, although it was strategically insignificant and had little effect on the outcome of the war, is notable as the first time modern ironclad warships had been used in action. Although frequently hit, the French ships destroyed the Russian forts within three hours, suffering minimal casualties in the process. This battle convinced contemporary navies to abandon wooden warships and focus on armour plating, which instigated a naval arms race between the two victors that lasted for more than a decade.

 

At around 9:00 on 17 October, the Anglo-French fleet moved into position to begin their bombardment. The ships of the line had a difficult time getting into effective positions owing to the shoals in the surrounding water, and so much of the work fell to smaller and shallower draught vessels, most prominently the three ironclad batteries. The floating batteries were anchored just 600 yards (550 m) from the Russian fortress, where they proved to be immune to Russian artillery fire, which either bounced off or exploded harmlessly on their wrought iron armour plating. The French and British ships of the line were anchored further out, at around 1,200 yards (1,100 m), while the bomb vessels were placed further still, at 2,800 yards (2,600 m). While their guns battered at the fortifications, the ironclads each had a contingent of Royal Marines who inflicted significant casualties on the Russian gun crews.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kinburn_(1855)

(Do they mean French Marines? Multiple sources repeat this statement, but I could not find clarity either way. One vaguely talks of the Royal Marines being attached to the 2nd Regiment which was in the same “Division” as the four French ironclads, but does not clarify what that means.)

 

On the 5th of October 1855, the battalion broke up the encampment on the heights of Balaklava, and embarked for Kinburn, where they were landed on a sandy spit, and slept one night without cover, but tents were sent ashore the following day.

 

After the capture of the forts, a reconnaissance was made into the country; the officers and men engaged in it were without tents, but they readily constructed temporary huts with branches of trees, foliage and hay. In the course of their march they came across farm-houses and gardens of wholesome vegetables; the latter were made use of with avidity by all; and to this indulgence a diarrhœal affection which prevailed shortly afterwards by some of the medical officers. A few cases of remitting fever made their appearance also at this time, which most probably arose from exhalations from the low marshy lands which bordered the channel of the river.

 

From “House of Commons Papers, Volume 9, Army, Navy, Session 3 3 February – 21 March 1857.”

cwrs.russianwar.co.uk/cwrs-R-RMBrigade.html

 

1857 – Birth of daughter Georgiana Harriet……

 

The Jermy family history source thinks this birth happened about 1869.

 

However the birth of a “Georgianna” Harriet Gwyn was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Alverstoke, Hampshire, in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1857.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2NHN-KR1

 

The baptism of a “Georgianna” Harriet Gwyn, no date of birth recorded, took place at Forton, Hampshire, on the 19th June 1857. Parents were Hamond Weston and “Georgianna” Catherine.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLY4-5HHG

 

Oct 1858 – Birth of son Howard Weston…….

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

The birth of Howard Weston Gwyn was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Alverstoke, Hampshire, in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1858.

 

The baptism of a Howard Weston Gwyn, no date of birth recorded, took place at Forton, Hampshire, on the 25th November 1858. Parents were Hamond Weston and Georgiana Catherine.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLYW-X9CN

 

1861 Census of England and Wales……………….

 

There is no obvious match for Hamond on this census. The 31 year old Georgiana C Gwyn, the “Wife of a Captain in the Royal Marines” and born at an unreadable place in Middlesex, was recorded as the head of the household at 2 Queens Road, Alverstoke, Hampshire. She lived there with her sister, Latitia B. Harris, (aged 23 and born East Wickham, Kent), and her children:-

Hamond W…….aged 5….born Blackheath, Kent

Georgiana D(?), aged 3….born Alverstoke

Howard Weston..aged 2…born Alverstoke

There is also one live in servant, a Monthly Nurse.

 

1863 – Birth of daughter Blanche Annie………..

 

The Jermy family history site dates this to 1871, but judging on the 1871 census information, it happened a few years earlier. The birth of a Blanche Annie Gwyn was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Alverstoke District of Hampshire in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1863.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:261M-FWJ

 

1865 – Birth of son Lionel……………………...

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

The birth of Lionel Gwyn was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Alverstoke, Hampshire, in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1865.

 

The burial of a Lionel Gwyn, aged 4, was recorded at Alverstoke, Hampshire on the 25th January 1869.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLYH-7DH9

 

21 January 1867 – Birth of son Cecil…….

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

The birth of Cecil Gwyn was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Alverstoke, Hampshire, in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1867. Unfortunately the Genealogy source I use has him mis-transcribed as “Ceeil”. As many of the subscription services use the same original transcription data its likely this is a widely occurring mistake.

 

The baptism of a Cecil Gwyn, no date of birth recorded, took place at Alverstoke, Hampshire, on the 27th February 1867. His parents were recorded as “Edmond” Weston and Georgiana Catherine.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N5SK-ZP1

 

About 1868? – Birth of son Victor…….

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

However, the birth of a Victor Gwyn was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of East Stonehouse, Devon, in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1871.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2X4F-NLC

The death of a Victor Gwyn was recorded in the same District and in the same quarter.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JJ9-L56

(Other subscription sources confirm the Victor who died was aged under 1)

 

About 1869 – Birth of daughter Georgina Harriet…….

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

There is no obvious match in the GRO’s published quarterly index of Births in England and Wales. However judging on the 1871 census information, where “Georgiana” is shown as aged 13 and born Forton, Hampshire then that individual was registered in Q2 of 1857 in the Alverstoke District. (See above).

 

In fact the daughter born at this time was Ada, registered with the Civil Authorities in the Alverstoke District in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1869.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2X7J-8JC

 

2nd August 1870 – Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel…

 

The issue of the London Gazette dated August 9, 1870 has this announcement in connection with the Royal Marine Light Infantry.

 

Captain Hamond Weston Gwyn to be Lieutenant-Colonel at the Plymouth Division, vice Pickard, to retired full pay. Dated 2nd August 1870.

www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/23641/page/3688/data.pdf

 

About 1871 – Birth of daughter Blanche Annie…….

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

There is no obvious match in the GRO’s published quarterly index of Births in England and Wales. However judging on the 1871 census information, where Blanche is shown as aged 8 and born Alverstoke, then that individual was registered in Q1 of 1863 in the Alverstoke District. (See above).

 

1871 Census of England and Wales……………….

 

The Gwyn family were now recorded living in Barracks at the Royal Marine Barracks, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, Devon. Hamond Weston, (aged 46 and a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Marines, born Tasburgh, Norfolk, was recorded as the head of the household. Living with him are his wife Georgiana Catherine, (aged 42, born London, Middlesex) and their children:-

Hamond William….age 15…born Blackheath, Kent

Georgiana Harriet…aged 13..born Forton, Hampshire

Howard Weston…..aged12…born Forton, Hampshire

Blanche Annie…….aged 8…born Alverstoke, Hampshire

Cecil………………aged 4….born Forton, Hampshire

Ada………………..aged 2….born Forton, Hampshire.

There is also one live-in servant.

 

28 May 1872 – Birth of son Basil Lawrence…….

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

The birth of a Basil Lawrence Gwyn was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of East Stonehouse, Devon in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1872

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2XHH-K8V

 

About 1873 – Birth of daughter Ada…….

 

Family tree source

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1033.html

 

There is no obvious match in the GRO’s published quarterly index of Births in England and Wales. On the 1871 census Ada was already shown as 2 years old and born Forton, Hampshire. This would appear to tie in the birth of a Ada Gwyn which was registered in the Alverstoker District in Q2 of 1869.

 

16th March 1875 – death of first wife Georgiana….

 

From the tablet, but also from the family tree, where she is recorded as “Georgina”.

 

The death of Georgiana Catherine Gwyn, aged 45, was recorded in the East Stonehouse District of Devon in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1875.

 

24th August 1875 – promoted Colonel from Lieutenant-Colonel

 

From the London Gazette dated August 31, 1875.

www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24241/page/4327/data.pdf

 

A plaque, now at Royal Marines Museum, of Royal Marine Commandants records that Colonel Hamond W. Gwyn was Commandant of the Royal Marine Light Infantry from the 2nd September 1878 to the 3rd July 1880.

www.memorialsinportsmouth.co.uk/rm-museum/commandants.htm

 

1881 Census of England and Wales……………….

 

The 56 year old widower Hamond Weston, a Major General in the Royal Marines Active List, was recorded as the head of the household at 5 Ingles park Lane, Folkestone, Kent. Living with him are his daughter, Georgie Harriet, (aged 23,born Forton, Hampshire), a 46 year old widowed visitor, Emma Hutchinson, (born Tasburgh – possibly a sister?), and 2 live in servants.

 

(Note – the Genealogy site I use for basic census look-ups has transcribed him as “Howard Westno”)

 

1882 – 2nd Marriage…………

 

Hamond Weston Gwyn married a Catherine Augusta Bockett. There are no known children of this marriage.

jermy.org/gedhtree/oldjermy/gp1034.html

Another family tree records the marriage as taking place on the 1st November 1882 at St Mary’s, Reading, Berkshire.

www.sewellgenealogy.com/p243.htm

Catherine was born on the 22nd April 1844 at Hampstead, London and died on the 14th June 1916 in Folkestone, Kent.

www.sewellgenealogy.com/p48.htm#i24766

 

The marriage of a Hamond Weston Gwyn to a Catherine Augusta Bockett was recorded in the Reading District of Berkshire in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1882.

 

1885 Harts Army Annual List………………………

 

This was correct to the end of 1884 and shows that Majoe General Hamond Weston Gwyn was now on the Supernumerary list, (i.e. he doesn’t currently have a role or command). His career progression is shown as:-

6th July 1841……….2nd Lieutenant

16th August 1845…..1st Lieutenant

24th February 1854…Captain

1st January 1868……Brevet Major

2nd August 1870……Lieutenant-Colonel

2nd August 1875……Colonel

1st October 1877……2nd Commandant

2nd September 1878…Colonel Commandant

4th July 1880………..Major General

 

The note on his War Services reads Major-General Gwyn served with the R.M. Brigade in the Crimea in 1855, and was also at the surrender of Kinbourn (Medal with Clasp, and Turkish Medal).

 

1891 Census of England and Wales……………….

 

“Hammond” Weston Gywn, aged 66 and a General Officer in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, (retired) was still recorded as the head of the household at 5 Ingles Road, Folkestone, Kent. Living with him are his second wife, Catherine Augusta, (aged 45, born Hampstead, Middlesex) and his daughters Blanche Annie, (28, born Gosport, Hampshire) and Ada Ursula, (22, born Gosport, Hampshire).

 

On the night of the census they had a visitor, Frank Eustace Faithfull, plus two live in servants.

 

18th Jan. 1898 – Death……………….

 

One family tree records his place of death as Folkestone, Norfolk on this date – (advise correct details).

www.sewellgenealogy.com/p243.htm

 

The death of a Hamond Weston Gwyn, aged 73, was recorded in the Elham District of Kent in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1898.

 

He was buried at Christ Church, Folkestone, Kent, on the 21st January 1898.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J88B-GZQ

 

The 1898 Probate Calendar records that Hamond Weston Gwyn, of 5 Ingles Road, Folkerstone, General in Her Majestys Army, died 18th January 1898. Probate was granted on the 14th April 1898 at the London Court to Howard Weston Gywn, M.D., and Frank Eustace Faithfull, esquire. His effects were valued at £4,176 1s 9d.

probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Gwyn&ye...

 

(Roughly revalued in 2017 “money”, that would be about £379,000).

 

Postscript…………………

 

His widow Catherine was still living at 5 Ingles Road, Folkestone on the 1901 Census, (with one live in Domestic Servant) and the 1911 Census, (with a Trained Nurse and two live in Domestic Servants).

 

The death of a 72 year old Catherine A. Gwyn, was recorded in the Elham District of Kent in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1916.

 

The 1916 probate Calendar records that Catherine Augusta Gwyn, of 5 Ingles Road, Folkestone, a widow, died on the 14th June 1916. Probate was granted at the London Court on the 9th September 1916 to Henry Curwen Biscoe-Smith, solicitor, and Maria Rebecca Hopkins, (wife of Arthur Hopkins). Her effects were valued at £5,511 12s 1d.

probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar#calendar

(That’s about £335k in 2017 money).

 

Done