Francis Erskine Loch
Francis Erskine Loch | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 1788 |
| Died | 13 February 1868 Stangate Creek quarantine site |
| Battles/wars | |
Admiral Francis Erskine Loch (April 1788–13 February 1868) was a senior commander in the Royal Navy during the early 19th century. He served as naval aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria.
Life
He was born in April 1788 in Drylaw House north of Edinburgh (now within the city boundary) the son of George Loch (1749–1788) and his wife Mary Adam, daughter of John Adam of the Adam family of architects.[1]
He entered the
From May 1803 to 1805 he served under his cousin, Captain Adam on the captured French frigate
His first command was on HMS Rover in 1812. He moved to HMS Minstrel in 1815, and HMS Eden in 1821. In the latter he served in the East Indies and Persian Gulf, acting as the senior officer for this zone. His last active service was from June to September 1839 on HMS Hastings in the Mediterranean.[3]
He was invalided out of active service in the summer of 1839. From September 1839 to September 1841 he was commander of HMS Victory, not the famous ship, but a guard-ship placed at Portsmouth. In 1847 he was made naval aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria (a prestigious but non-active role). Loch then underwent several promotions, but without command: rear admiral (1850); vice admiral (1857); admiral (1860).[3]
He retired to Edinburgh in 1860, living at 22 George Square as neighbour to Reverend Patrick Clason.[4] He died in Cheltenham on 13 February 1868.[3]
Family
Loch's had several important family connections: great grandfather- William Adam; great uncle – Robert Adam; uncle – William Adam of Blair Adam; cousin – Admiral Sir Charles Adam; nephew – Captain Granville Gower Loch RN
In 1822 he was married to Jesse Robertson in Edinburgh.[5] Jesse was the daughter of Major Robertson, Barrack-Master-General of North Britain.[3] Their known children were:[1]
- George Francis Loch (1824–1848)
- Francis Adam Ellis Loch (1827–1891)
- Jane Garden Loch (1830–1891)
- Archibald Robertson Loch (1833–1906)
- James Henry Loch (1833–1918) his twin
Francis' children included Major General Granville George Loch (1870–1950)
Memorabilia
His diary and sketch-books are held at the National Archive in Kew.[6]
References
- ^ a b "Person Page - 65188". thepeerage.com. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- ^ A Naval Biographical Dictionary. London: John Murray. pp. 667–668.
- ^ a b c d "William Loney RN - Background". pdavis.nl. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1860
- ^ "Francis Erskine Loch (1788-1868)". threedecks.org. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- ^ "Loch, Francis Erskine (1788-1868) Admiral". nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 November 2019.