The owners of Lackham in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries ...

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The Manor of Lackham IV : 19 th & 20 th century owners blow at Napoleon's ambitions 455 . Consequently a British expedition of thirtyfive warships, escorting 200 transports carrying 40,000 men, was sent to Capture Antwerp and thus divert Napoleon's attention. The expedition commander was the Earl of Chatham and before moving on Antwerp he invested and took the town of Flushing on the island of Walcheren after “a feeble defence 456 ” on 16 th August. The surrender might be forgiven as the town was subject to a “tremendous cannonade .. for several hours [so that by 4pm] the fire of the Enemy had entirely ceased and the town present[ed] a most awful Scene of Destruction being on fire in almost every Quarter” 457 Because of this delay there was time for Louis Bonaparte and Marshal Bernadotte to reinforce Antwerp and Chatham withdrew, Naval personnel, including Lt. Rooke, were involved on shore, their contribution was acknowledged by Chatham 458 . Unfortunately sickness was a constant threat and when Chatham withdrew, leaving a garrison of 15,000 on Walcheren, 5,000 died in an epidemic of “Walcheren Fever” 459 . The progress of “Walcheren fever” or “Flushing sickness” was relentless. In early August there were fewer than 700 men sick, but by 3 September over 8000 were in hospital. In late October the 9000 troops sick on Walcheren easily outnumbered those fit for duty. Hospitals were set up in houses, churches, and warehouses, and conditions were appalling. Men were “packed together in hovels, such 455 Howard, MR (1999) Walcheren 1809: a medical catastrophe BMJ 319 (7225): 1642– 1645 456 http://www.lightinfantry.org.uk/regiments/dli/durham_68thfoottl.htm 457 London Gazette 16289 dated 20 August 1809 p1321, a despatch from The Earl of Chatham dated 16 August 1809 458 London Gazette 16289 dated 20 August 1809 p1322 “The Seamen, whose Labours had already been so useful to the Army, sought their Reward in a further Opportunity of distinguishing themselves and One of the Batteries was accordingly entrusted to them and which they served with admirable Vigor and Effect” 459 http://www.lightinfantry.org.uk/regiments/dli/durham_68thfoottl.htm 139
The Manor of Lackham IV : 19 th & 20 th century owners as would be thought unfit for dogs, exposed to the noxious night airs, and in some cases with only damp straw to lie on.” 460 Lt Rooke didn’t die but he suffered a serious attack of the illness and was on half pay for 10 months 461 . It was only in August 1810 that he returned to active service, joining HMS San Juan 74 462 at Gibraltar, where she was in the flotilla commanded by Commodore Charles Vinicombe Penrose 463 . Rooke was “in constant action with the enemy during the siege of Cadiz 464 ” . 460 Howard, MR (1999) Walcheren 1809: a medical catastrophe BMJ 319 (7225): 1642– 1645 461 O’Byrne, WR (1849) Naval Biographical Dictionary vol Q-R p54 462 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_ship_San_Juan_Nepomuceno San Juan Nepomuceno was a Spanish ship of the line launched in 1765 from the royal shipyard in Guarnizo (Cantabria). She was commanded at Trafalgar by the famous Brigadier Don Cosme Damian Churruca and constituted for the Spaniards “a handsome example of the heroism of their nation and the bravery of their sailor”. After Trafalgar, the ship was taken into British service as HMS San Juan and served as a supply hulk for many years at Gibraltar. In honour of Churruca's courage, the cabin he had occupied while alive bore his name on a brass plate, and all who entered it were required to remove their hats as a mark of respect for a gallant enemy. 463 Marshall, J (1828) Royal Naval Biography p462 Sir Charles Vinicombe Penrose (1759 - 1830) was born June 20 1759, entered Royal Academy Portsmouth 1772. In the summer of 1810 an “extensive flotilla establishment was ordered to be formed at Gibraltar, principally for the defence of Cadiz and Captain Penrose was appointed to the chief command with the rank of Commodore. He accordingly repaired to the rock and hoisted his broad penant on board the San Juan sheer-hulk lying in the New Mole” He was in command of a squadron co-operating with the army in the Peninsula War (1813), and chief in command in the Mediterranean in 1814 and 1816. He was awarded the K.C.B. and G.C.M.G. in 1816 and appointed vice-admiral in 1821. 464 O’Byrne, WR (1849) Naval Biographical Dictionary vol Q-R p54 140
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The owners of Lackham in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries ...

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