General Mildmay Fane

A carte-de-visite portrait of General Mildmay Fane (1795-1868).

Identified in the Silvy daybooks only as 'General Fane', this is almost certainly Lieutenant-General Mildmay Fane who appears on the 1861 census living at The Hall, Fulbeck, Lincolnshire with two unmarried nieces Adelina and Augusta Fane and one married niece, Emily Maria Praed and her infant son Julian. All three girls were born in the East Indies, so presumably they were sisters. Also present on the night of the census were nine servants, including a butler and a footman.

Born on 3 February 1795, he was the son of Henry Fane and his wife Anne (née Batson). His paternal grandfather was Thomas Fane, 8th Earl of Westmoreland. He gained the rank of Colonel in the service of the 54th Foot

General Mildmay Fane died on 12 March 1868, aged 73. His death was the result of a fall from his horse while hunting.

A memorial tablet in St Nicholas's Church in Fulbeck reads: 'In memory of / General Mildmay Fane / 7th son of the Hon.ble H. Fane of Fulbeck / who served in the Peninsula at/ the Battle of Vittoria / Assault & Capture of San Sebastian / and the Battle of the Nive / also in the Campaign of 1815 / including the Battle of Quatre Bras in which he was wounded. / Died March 12th 1868, aged 73. / This tablet was erected by officers of the 54th Regiment / who served under him as their commanding officer / between 1828 and 1851 / in token of their great / esteem for his memory / and of honour , respect / and love with which they regarded him.'

Photographed by Camille Silvy of London on 12 March 1861.