John Byng MP RN (bef. 1704 - 1757)

Born before 29 Oct 1704 in Southill, Bedfordshire, England

Ancestors

Died 14 Mar 1757 after age 52 in HMS Monarch, Portsmouth Harbour, Hampshire, England

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Biography

John Byng MP RN is Notable.

Baptised on 29 October 1704 at Southill in Bedfordshire, John Byng was the fourth son of George Byng, Viscount Torrington and his wife, Margaret Master. ^[1] He joined the Royal Navy in 1718, sailing aboard HMS Superb (1710) under the captaincy of his uncle, Streynsham Master. ^[2] Superb was then serving in the fleet of John's Father, George Byng, ^[3] so, aged 14, he was present at his father's great victory at the Battle of Cape Passaro. John was promoted lieutenant in 1724 aboard HMS Burford (1722) and captain on 8 August 1727 of HMS Gibraltar (1711) after she was rebuilt. ^[4]

John was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief Newfoundland in 1741 in which post he served until 1744, then was made Rear Admiral in 1745 and Vice Admiral in 1746. ^[5]

Considered by John Russell, Duke of Bedford and Prime Minister Henry Pelham as a candidate for Rochester at the 1846 election he was rejected in favour of Sir Chaloner Ogle and John was sent to the Mediterranean. He came ashore in October 1748 and settled at 41 Hill St., London, happily planning the house, Wrotham Park, that he was having built at Barnet in Hertfordshire. After Chaloner died John was returned unopposed as Member of Parliament for Rochester. ^[6]

He was made a full Admiral in 1856 and in April was ordered to the Mediterranean to relieve Fort St Philip on the island of Minorca which was besieged by the French. Ill-prepared he sailed to Gibraltar then on to Minorca where a French fleet was encountered. The ensuing battle ended honours about even and the French withdrew. John decided not to pursue but instead returned to Gibraltar to repair his ships. The subsequent loss of Minorca caused a furore at home which led to the decision to court-martial the man whose fault it was, namely Admiral John Byng.

Court Martial

The Court-Martial of Admiral John Byng convened aboard HMS St George in Portsmouth Harbour on 27 December 1756, President Vice Admiral Thomas Smith with Rear Admirals Francis Holburn, Harry Norris and Thomas Brodrick and nine captains. The hearing lasted until 27 January 1757 when he was found guilty of not doing his utmost to relieve St Philip's Castle. He was not found guilty of cowardice or disaffection but the court had only one possible sentence under the then law, death. A strong recommendation for mercy accompanied the sentence. ^[7]

The only hope left for John's life was an appeal to the King, George II. The British Monarchy was still a political phenomenon in the 18th century and at that time the men in power in the House of Commons were the political opponents of the King. Richard Grenville-Temple, then First Lord of the Admiralty was granted an audience to appeal for clemency which was angrily refused. ^[8] Grenville-Temple's brother-in-law, William Pitt, fared no better. John's most stalwart champion at this time was his sister, Sarah Osborn. She was very active in trying to secure a pardon for her brother, seeking the help of John Russell, Duke of Bedford, a member of the cabinet. Her distressed appeal for help was followed by a well-argued letter to the Admiralty. On 12 March 1757 John wrote to Sarah acknowledging that she had done all that could be done but admitting that it had been fruitless. ^[9] He drew up his will distributing £16,000 and left his London house to his nephew, John, and Wrotham Park to George Byng 4th Viscount Torrington.

Admiral John Byng was shot on the quarter deck of HMS Monarch in Portsmouth Harbour on 14 March 1757. He died unmarried. ^[10]

His memorial at All Saints Church, Southill reads "To the perpetual disgrace of Publick Justice The Honble. John Byng Esqr Admiral of the Blue fell a martyr to political persecution March 14th in the year 1757 when bravery and loyalty were insufficient securities for the life and honour of a Naval Officer " ^[11]

Perhaps the last word should go to Voltaire " Dans ce pays-ci, il est bon de tuer de temps en temps un amiral pour encourager les autres." ^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptismal record Southill, Bedfordshire (29 October 1704 John Byng son of George Byng and Margaret) Viewed at Ancestry. Text only
2. ↑ Daniel A. Baugh, ‘Byng, John (bap. 1704, d. 1757)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 3 Dec 2016. This is a subscription site but access is free for readers of British libraries whose library subscribes.
3. ↑ Wikipedia: HMS Superb (1710)
4. ↑ History of Parliament online BYNG, Hon. John (c.1704-57), of Wrotham Park, Mdx
5. ↑ History of Parliament online BYNG, Hon. John (c.1704-57), of Wrotham Park, Mdx
6. ↑ History of Parliament online BYNG, Hon. John (c.1704-57), of Wrotham Park, Mdx
7. ↑ The Trial and Execution of Admiral Byng [1]
8. ↑ Wikipedia: Admiral John Byng
9. ↑ Barbara Brandon Schnorrenberg, ‘Osborn , Sarah (1693–1775)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 4 Dec 2016 This is a subscription site but access is free to readers of British libraries whose library subscribes.
10. ↑ History of Parliament online BYNG, Hon. John (c.1704-57), of Wrotham Park, Mdx
11. ↑ Maritime Memorials
12. ↑ "Candide" Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet)

See also:

• Wikidata: Item Q130261, en:Wikipedia