Discrete Item F2336 - Severus William Lynam Stretton journal

Severus William Lynam Stretton, youngest child of William Stretton, was baptized at St. Marys Church, Nottingham, 29 May 1793. A commission was obtained for him in the Nottinghamshire Militia which he joined at Plymouth in 1810. He accompanied the regiment to Ireland. In 1812 he obtained an ensigncy in the 68th light Infantry, and joined the regiment in Portugal, serving in the second Peninsular campaign of 1812-13. Having been severely wounded at the battle of Vittoria, 21 June 1813, he returned to England. The medical treatment he received was successful enabling him to rejoin his regiment, then stationed in Ireland. Some of Lieutenant Stretton’s movements (as noted by his father Lieut. William Stretton) include: arrived at Nottingham from Castlebar, Ireland; returned to Castlebar Th. Aug. 14, 1816; William came home from Dublin November 1, 1817; William sailed for Canada in May 1818.

Severus William Stretton accompanied the regiment to Canada in 1818, and in 1825 was promoted to an unattached company, shortly after which he exchanged to the 64th regiment, and joined it at Gibraltar. He was promoted major in 1832. He succeeded to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was placed in command of this regiment in 1842, having accompanied it to the West Indies and Nova Scotia, from whence he returned with it in 1843. Lieutenant-Colonel Stretton, in 1848, moved to his brother’s old regiment, the 40th, of which he retained the command until June, 1852. He was awarded the Peninsular medal and clasp and was also in receipt of a pension for wounds.

The officer retired in 1852 from active service, but was three years later appointed to the command of the Hampshire Artillery Militia, which he held until 1868, when he retired at the age of 75. In 1862 Colonel Stretton was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the Borough of Southampton, and he took an active part in the management of the Royal South Hants Infirmary, Southampton Dispensary and other charitable institutions in the town. He continued in good health until three weeks prior to his death, which took place at Southampton 22 November 1884. Colonel Stretton married, 24 October 1851, the Hon. Catherine Adela de Courcy, youngest daughter of the 28th Lord Kingsale, premier baron of Ireland, who survived him with seven children.