Author: Parlby, Brook Bridges
Biography:
PARLBY, Brook Bridges (1783-1873: ancestry.co.uk)
He was baptised on 10 June 1783 at Boxsted, Essex, the eldest of four children of Rev. Samuel Parlby (1755-1803), of Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk, and Anne Cooke (1757-1839), who had married in 1782. He entered Rugby in 1796 and afterwards joined the Madras Army. He was commissioned lieutenant in the 7th Native Infantry (1799) and saw action at the Battle of Argaum. He was wounded at Fort Sassouigarm on 8 Oct. 1804 and at the storming of Gawilghur on 15 Dec. 1805. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (1823) and served with distinction in the Burma War of 1824-6, with his “coolness and judgement” praised by the Commander in Chief, Sir Archibald Campbell. He commanded the 43rd Regiment of Native Infantry at the storming of Melloon and at the Battle of Pagahm Mew on 9 Feb. 1826, when the Burmese were finally defeated. For his service in Burma he was made Companion of the Bath in 1826. He was promoted to Colonel (1829), Major-General (1838) and Lt.-General (1851). He married Amelia Henderson (1794-1820) on 6 Oct. 1818 at St. Mary’s, Hampton, Middlesex. She died enroute from Anjengo (Anchuthengu, Kerala, India), on 3 Jan. 1820, aged 26. He then married Maria Plumb (1794-1857) on 15 July 1823 at St. Mary the Virgin, Speldhurst, Kent. They had four children with one infant death. She died at Brighton on 18 Nov. 1857. He died at his residence, Danesheld Cintra Park, Upper Norwood, Surrey, on 7 Mar. 1873, leaving an estate of around £5000 to his two unmarried daughters, Margaret and Maria, who lived with him. He also wrote Desultory Thoughts on the National Drama, Past and Present (1851) and A Brief History of the Establishment of the Anglican Church in India (1851). (ancestry.co.uk 20 Mar. 2023; IOR, 920.054, Biographical Files; IOR, L/MIL/9/110.f.163, Cadet Papers; CCEd (father) 20 Mar. 2023; Morning Post 8 Oct. 1818; Evening Mail 26 May 1820; MH 17 July 1823; MH 21 Nov. 1857; Weekly News 15 Mar. 1873) AA