Major The Hon R P B Byng

The Honorable Robert Barlow Palmer Byng was born on 30 Nov 1816, the second son of Vice-Admiral George Byng, 6th Viscount Torrington and Frances Harriet Barlow. He was educated at Tonbridge School. He entered the East India Company army as an ensign in the 62nd Bengal Native Infantry. He took part in the Gwalior campaign of 1843, appointed to the staff of Sir Hugh Gough. Along with all the others who took part he received the Maharajpoor Star for the battle fought on 29 Dec. With the rank of captain he was given command of the Sylhet Light Infantry on 18 July 1854. In his short service with the regiment he introduced several innovations. He presented Colours which had been worked by his wife, Elizabeth, and were still in existence in 1950, hanging in the officers’ mess along with his 1843 Maharajpoor Star. He also instituted the regimental band. He was promoted to major and distinguished himself greatly during the Indian Mutiny. He took the regiment from Cherrapunji to Pertagarh to confront the mutineers of the 34th NI, but they had moved to Latu which involved a further forced march by night. On Christmas Day 1857, at the age of 41, he led the attack at Cachua River under heavy fire and was killed. He was married to Elizabeth Maria Lowther Gwatkin on 11 Feb 1839. They had six children, the eldest, George Stanley became the 8th Viscount Torrington.