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William Henry Courtney
(1788-1807)
Born circa 1788
Died 1807 o/b "Blenheim", Indian Ocean
son of William IV, King of Great Britain
and Ireland 1830-1837 and NN
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In biographies of King William IV he is mentioned usually only as William,
"who was lost when the battleship 'Blenheim' sank with all hands in a gale
in the Indian Ocean in 1807". Young William Courtney had been treated as
a fond son by Mrs. Jordan, the mother of ten of the children of King William
IV.
Research in the Admiralty show that he was a Midshipman but who he
his mother was remains unknown. His career in the Navy started when he
was about 15 in July 1803 just after the resumption of war with France.
His first captain was Lord Amelius Beauclerk, a descendant of King Charles
II and Nell Gwyn.
William Henry Courtney died intestate. Three years after he was drowned
his 'goods, chattels and credits' were therefor granted to the King (his
grandfather whom he probably never met) in accordance with the law of the
day for an intestate 'bastard' (as the document of Administration described
him).
Source: Leo van de Pas |
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