Wall tablet in Waldenbury, Hertfordshire dedicated to Captain William Fothergill RN d. 1817
Location
All Saints Church, Waldenbury, Hertfordshire, England
Transcript
'S M / OF CAPTn WILLIAM FOTHERGILL, RN / ... Having passed some years in the East India Company`s and Merchant Services he entered the / Royal Navy at the commencement of the war 1793; after sharing in the glory of the victories / of Lords Howe and Bridport in 1794 and 1795 he personally distinguished himself 1799 / when Lieut. in temporary command of the Rattlesnake sloop of war of 18 guns / at anchor in Algoa Bay by engaging for seven hours LA PRENEUSE French frigate of / 44 guns and beating her off under circumstances eminently advantageous to HM service. / On his promotion he afterwards commanded on Foreign Stations HM Ships DIOMEDE / LANCASTER, ULYSSES, and ARGO. His intrepidity and experience secured him the / confidence of his superiors, his integrity and unassuming manners the friendship and esteem / of his equals, and his benevolence and humanity the fidelity and affections of his inferiors. / On retiring to enjoy the fruits of long and arduous service he became the victim of a painful / and lingering illness which he bore with fortitude peculiar to himself, but which at length / closed a life beneficial to his country and honourable to his fame. / He died in this Parish 18th July 1817 in the 49th Year of his Age. / "Alike to him each climate and each blast, / The first in danger, in retreat the last" / Falconer.'
Details
Type: Wall tablet
Position: Interior
Materials: Marble
Vessel: Rattlesnake
Event Category
1793-1802 French Revolutionary War
People
Age: 49
Date of Death: 18/7/1817
Cause of Death: Unknown/None
Rank / Occupation: Captain RN
Organisation: Honourable East India Company, Royal Navy