The Hon Caryl Craven Molyneux

The Honourable Caryl Craven Molyneux was born on 4 Oct 1836, the second son of Charles William Molyneux, 3rd Earl of Sefton and Mary Gregg-Hopwood. He entered the army as a cornet in the 7th Hussars on 6 June 1856, promoted to lieutenant on 11 May 1858. He was with the 7th during the Indian Mutiny from Feb 1858 to Mar 1859. This period included the repulse of the attack on the Alumbagh, the siege and capture of Lucknow, the fights at Barree and Sirsee, the action of Nawabgunge, the occupation of Fyzabad. He was involved throughout the Byswarra Campaign including the battles at Kandoo Nuddee, Palee Ghat and Hyderghur, pursuit of Bentia Madhoo’s force to the Goomtee. Also the Transgogra campaign, including the skirmish near Churda and pursuit, taking the fort of Mujeedia, attack on Bankee with the pursuit to the Raptee and the advance on Nepal and the engagement at Sitka Ghat.
He was promoted to captain on 9 March 1860 and transferred to the 10th Hussars on 1 June 1860. He was appointed second-in-command with the rank of major on 17 Aug 1870. He was often in command of the regiment due to Colonel Valentine Baker’s taking part in the Franco-German war or when he was acting as brigadier. Molyneux’s experience in India was invaluable when the 10th were ordered to prepare for the move from Colchester to India in 1872, and when they sailed in Jan 1873 he was able to make the necessary arrangements on their arrival at Muttra. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 26 Mar 1873 soon after the regiment arrived in India, serving only three years, he retired on 31 May 1876. The regimental history written by R S Liddell, who was a captain at that time, paid tribute to Colonel Molyneux, ‘He was a brilliant rider and a most accomplished horseman in every detail. The many excellent lessons, not only in the drill field but in the hunting field, that he taught those under his command have been remembered and valued ever since.’
He married Hon Caroline Elizabeth Lawley daughter of 2nd Baron Wenlock on 21 April 1870. They had a son, Major Caryl Richard Molyneux. Colonel Molyneux died on 7 March 1912 aged 75.

Regimental Details | Commanding Officers