Major George Pitt D'Arcy

Major George Pitt D'Arcy (abt 1781-1849~) who served in the 39th Regiment. Immigrated to Australia. He was married twice, first to Mary Ludlam - daughter of Peter Ludlam and Rachel Le Mesurier in Guernsey then to Maria or Mary White. George Pitt D'Arcy( b 1780- d.22 July 1849) came to New South Wales in 1826. Wife unknown? Son of George Pitt D'Arcy is Frederick Robert D'Arcy b.1802 ? (other date 1811) in Ireland. Was withdrawn from Sandhurst by his family to immigrate to Sydney, New South Wales.

Family Notices

Deaths

At Parramatta, on 22nd July, aged 69 (1780), Major George Pitt D'Arcy, formerly of the 39th Regt, of Foot; a brave and gallant soldier. Major D'Arcy served in the West Indies, the Mediterranean, through the whole of the Peninsular War, North America, and in this colony.

OBITUARY

"At Parramatta, on Suuday morning, the 22nd of July, 1849, aged 69, Major George Pitt D'Arcy, formerly of the 39th Regiment of Foot; a braye and gallant soldier. Major D'Arcy served In the West Indies, the Mediterranean, through the whole of the Peninsular War, South America, and In this colony. He received a medal for commanding his regment nt tile battle of Ortbes."

This is the brief announcement of the death of one who was every inch a soldier, and whose memory will long be preserved in the hearts of those who knew him for being the possessor of nought but good and kindly qualities. The decline of a life spent iu the service of his country, was not, we deeply regret to say, passed in the paths of pleasantness; and though philosophy taught Major D'Arcy to sustain sorrow and trouble uncomplainingly-although his high spirit never quailed beneath the frowns of the world--although, while drinking deeply of the waters of Marah, his sung and tale were I wont "to set the table in it roar," yet those who were intimately ncquaimed with him had reason to know that the canker of disappointment was at "his heart's care," and his smile was, tuo often, only the shroud of buried hopes.

He died at the house of Mr. Walford, one of his staunchest friends, whose kindness to the deceased gentleman increased in proportion to his need of it. From the suddenness of his death, it was deemed uecessary to hold a« inquest over his body.

The result was, that the jury returned a verdict imputing the cause of his decease !lo "gout which had flown to the heady ] and caused apoplexy." ?] . -i'

In Major D'Arcy the colony has lost a gallant spirit, one who in hit lifetime tried to be the friend of all, and never injured anyone but himself.

The following is an epitome of thc Major's services:-

"In the West Indies, North and South America, Mediterranean, and in the Peninsular under his Grace the Duke of Wellington-from the year 1811 until the conclusion of the war after the battle of Toulouse.

He was present in tbe following actions

Victoria, 2nd in command

Nivelle, 2nd in command

Nive, 2nd in command

Pyrenees, 2nd in command

Orthes, commanded

Toulouse, 3rd in command

He was also engaged with the enemy in their retreat from the battle of Pampeluna; also at Aire, anil at the affair of Garisse, on which occasion the Duke of Wellington in his dispatch mentioned the 39th Regiment as having distinguished itself.

The command fell to Major D'Arcy, in consequence of Lt-Colonel Bruce being wounded early in the action. The Major received a gold medal for his prominent services in the battle of Orthes, but singular to relate, after a lapse of four years, the reward of his merit having been sent by mistake to Lt-Colonel Bruce. Major D'Arcy served 34 years in the 39th Regiment.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/result?q=george+pitt+d%27arcy

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: May 1 2017, 5:12:43 UTC