Frederick James Macdonnell (1832 - 1858)

Born 1 Nov 1832 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Ancestors

Died 23 Mar 1858 at age 25 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

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Biography

Frederick was born on the 1st November 1832 to parents Richard Macdonnell and Jane Graves.

He studied at T.C.D and then at Addiscombe College.

In 1853 he was commissioned to India, and served more than four years with the 14th Native Bengal Infantry. He narrowly escaped death when the Regiment mutinied at Jhelum in 1857.

He served under Sir Henry Lawrence and General Greathead, and was attached to the 2nd Punjab Cavalry or "Probyns Horse" as Brigade Adjutant, and second in command. While in this he was shot through the head at Kursee, twelve miles from Lucknow, that being probably the last short fired in the mutiny.

A tablet was erected to his and his brother Charles' memory in Monkstown Church, Co. Dublin."Frederick James MacDonnell, of the 14th Bengal Native lnfantry. After the mutiny of that regiment he was attached to the 2nd Punjab Cavalry, and rose to be second in command of that corps. Having distinguished himself in twenty engagements, he was killed in a charge of cavalry at Korsee, near Lucknow, March 23, 1858, aged 25 years."^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Macdonnell, Hercules H Grave. Notes, Historical and Personal on the Tynekill Branch of the Macdonnell Family. Dublin,: Browne & Nolan Ltd Printers, 1897. Pgs 42-43, 44-45