William Lonsdale
2 October 1799
28 March 1864 (aged 64)
Colonist, public servant
Martha Smythe
4 sons and 4 daughters
Early life[edit]
Lonsdale was born in Den Helder,[2] Batavian Republic, during Britain's failed campaign to restore the deposed Prince William of Orange. His father, Lieutenant James Lonsdale, had been accompanied by his wife Jane (née Faunce).[2] William at age 20 joined his father's old regiment, the King's Own (4th) Regiment of the Foot,[2] as an ensign on 8 July 1819. He was soon joined by his younger brother, Alured.[2] William and Alured served with their Regiment in the West Indies and on 4 March 1824 William was promoted lieutenant and appointed adjutant. He returned to England and was posted to Portugal. By 1830 he was back in England and by 20 March 1831 his Regiment was posted to the Colony of New South Wales to relieve the 39th Regiment. He was to become a colonial administrator as well as his profession as a soldier.
Late life[edit]
Lonsdale's last public office was Colonial Treasurer on a salary of 1500 pounds from July 1853 until July 1854[7] when he followed LaTrobe's example and retired and returned to England. In England the Lonsdale's had two more children - Maude Smythe b:1858 and Oswald b:1860. William died in London on 28 March 1864 and was survived by his widow, 4 sons and 4 daughters.
Additional resources listed by the Australian Dictionary of Biography: