Charles van Straubenzee

Van Straubenzee in 1861

Van Straubenzee was born at Fort Ricasoli, Malta, in 1812,[1] as the second son of Thomas van Straubenzee (1782–1843), a Royal Artillery major, of Spennithorne, Yorkshire, and his wife Maria, youngest daughter of Major Henry Bowen.

A member of an old and distinguished military family, Van Straubenzee was commissioned into the Ceylon Rifle Regiment in 1828.[2] He transferred to the 39th Regiment of Foot in 1833, and, during the Gwalior campaign, he took part in the Battle of Maharajpore in 1843; he took temporary command of his regiment when its commanding officer was wounded and brought the regiment out of action.[2]

In 1846, he transferred to 3rd Battalion the Buffs of which he became commanding officer in 1851,[2] and fought in the Crimean War commanding the 1st Brigade of the Light Division, and taking part in both assaults on the Redan during the Siege of Sevastopol.[2]

In 1857, Van Straubenzee became Commander British Forces in Hong Kong and led an attack on Canton during the Second Opium War.[2] In 1862, he was made general officer commanding a Division of the Bombay Army at Ahmedabad and subsequent took overall command of the Bombay Army.[2]

He was colonel of the 47th Regiment of Foot from 1865 to 1867, and of the 39th Regiment of Foot from 1867,[3] until they became part of the Dorset Regiment in 1881, after which he continued as colonel of the 2nd Battalion until 1892.[4] Van Straubenzee became Governor of Malta in 1872.[2]

Van Straubenzee is buried at St Mary the Virgin's Churchyard near Bath, Somerset.[2]

He married Charlotte Louisa Richardson in 1841, daughter of General John Luther Richardson.[5]

• List of British recipients of the Légion d'Honneur for the Crimean War