Memorial in Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London commemorating Sir John Balchen, Admiral of the White, RN d. 1744 and Commander George Balchen, RN d. 1745
Location
Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
Transcript
'To the Memory of / Sr JOHN BALCHEN Knt. Admiral of the White Squadron of his MAJESTY'S Fleet Who / in the Year 1744 being sent out Commander in Chief of the Combined Fleets of England / & Holland to cruise on the Enemy was on his return Home in his MAJESTY'S's Ship the / VICTORY, / lost in the Channel by a Violent Storm, From which sad Circumstance / of his Death we may learn that neither the greatest Skill, Judgement or Experience / join'd to the most firm unshaken resolution can resist the fury of the winds / and waves, and we are taught from the passages of his Life which was fill’d / with Great and Gallant Actions but ever accompanied with adverse Gales of / Fortune, that the Brave, the Worthy, and the Good Man meets not always his reward / in this World. Fifty Eight Years of faithfull and painful Services he had pass’d / when being just retired to the Government of Greenwich Hospital to wear out / the Remainder of his Days, He was once more, and for the last time call’d / out by his KING & Country whose interests he ever preferr'd to his own and / his unwearied Zeal for their Service ended only his Death which weighty / misfortune to his Afflicted Family became heighten'd by many aggravating / Circumstances attending it, yet amidst their Grief had they the mournful / Consolation to find his Gracious and Royal Master, mixing his concern with / the General lamentations of the Publick, for the Calamitous Fate of so Zealous / so Valiant and so able a Commander, and as a lasting Memorial of the Sincere / Love and Esteem born by his Widow to a most Affectionate and worthy / Husband, this Honourary Monument was erected by Her / He was born Febry ye 2d 1669. Married SUSANNAH the Daughter of Coll: APRICE of / WASHINGLY in the County of HUNTINGTON Died October ye 7th 1744 leaving one Son & / one Daughter the former of whom GEORGE BALCHEN survived him but a Short time / for being sent to the WT INDIES in 1745 Commander of His MAJESTY'S Ship the PEMBROKE / he Died at BARBADOES in Decber the same Year Aged 28 having walked in the Steps and / imitated the Virtues and Bravery of his Good but unfortunate Father'
Details
Type: Wall tablet
Position: West wall, north transept
Materials: Marble
Artists: Peter Scheemakers
Vessel: HMS 'Pembroke', HMS 'Victory'
People
Age: 74
Date of Death: 5/10/1744
Cause of Death: Vessel Loss
Rank / Occupation: Governor of Greenwich Hospital; Admiral of the White
Organisation: Royal Hospital, Greenwich, Royal Navy
Balchen, George
Age: 28
Date of Death: 1745
Cause of Death: Unknown
Rank / Occupation: Commander RN
Organisation: Royal Navy
Extra
Bibliography: Ingrid Roscoe 'Peter Scheemakers', 'The Sixty-first volume of the Walpole Society' p. 217 (1999). 'An Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, its monuments and curiosities ... designed as a guide to strangers' (London, 1754), p. 149; 'London and Westminster guide through the streets and suburbs' (London, 1768) p. 75.
Recorder: A.J. Richardson 1981