Junior maj. 48th Regt., 26th Dec., 1813. Placed on h. p. with brevet rank of lt.-col, in 1814. D. in British Guiana 2nd Jan., 1844, whilst holding the post of Vendue-Master of Demerara and Esequibo.
DEPUTY QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL.
Col. Sir Wm. Howe De Lancey, K.C.B., K.
The De Lanceys were descended from a wealthy Huguenot family, who went from Caen, in Normandy, to America, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. In the short space of sixty years this family produced three celebrated soldiers, viz., Gen. Oliver De Lancey, a leading American loyalist, who fought on the British side during the War of Independence, and, settling in England, d. at Beverley, 1785. In another generation, an Oliver De Lancey distinguished himself as a Christine leader in the Spanish war, and was killed at the siege of San Sebastian in 1837. The third distinguished soldier of this family was the above Wm. Howe De Lancey, who was only son of S. De Lancey, Gov. of Tobago, by Cornelia his wife, who d. in 1817. His early career was one of renown, and in 1799 we find him maj. of the 45th Regt., at the age of 21. On 4th April, 1815, he was married, in Scotland, to the beautiful Magdalen Hall, dau. of Sir James Hall, Bart., of Dunglass, by Lady Helen Douglas, dau. of 4th Earl of Selkirk. The return of Napoleon from Elba once more called De Lancey to the seat of war. Leaving his fair young wife, he proceeded, in May, to Brussels, whither he was followed, the first week in June, by his bride. At Waterloo, when riding by Wellington’s side, the wind of a cannon ball knocked him off his horse. This, it was afterwards found, had separated the ribs from the back-bone, and caused a fatal injury. Wellington caused De Lancey to be removed to a hut in a blanket. For some days hopes were entertained of his recovery, and he was devotedly nursed by his sorrow-stricken wife, whose perilous drive to the battle-field, and her experiences, were lately given in the Illustrated Naval and Military Magazine, from an old MS. narrative written by herself. After lingering ten days, the hero died.
“Fair lady’s love, and splendid fame,
De Lancey did enthral.
His loyal heart alike they claim,
They sigh to see him fall.”
ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTERS-GENERAL.
Col. Hon. Alex. Abercromby, 2nd Ft. Gds., W.