Captain Frederick Lister

Frederick George Lister was born in London on 1 Jan 1790. He was accepted as a cadet in the East India Company Service and arrived in India on 11 July 1806. His first regimental posting was to the 26th Bengal Native infantry which fought in the Nepal War of 1814-15, and the Third Mahratta War. He took part in the storming of Satanwarra for which he was mentioned in despatches; London Gazette 20 Jan 1821. He briefly transferred to the 52nd Bengal NI in 1824 to take part in the Burma War, and in January of the following year was appointed second-in-command of the newly raised 16th Sylhet Local Battalion. He took over command of the battalion on 14 Mar 1828 and remained in command for more than 26 years, until 17 July 1854. He is regarded as the father of the regiment, not just for his length of service in command but because he inspired the officers and men with his personal courage and leadership. He was appointed Colonel of the 31st Bengal NI on 13 April 1855 and promoted to major-general on 22 Aug 1857. He was further promoted to lieutenant-general on 23 Aug 1869. He was married to Louisa Richards in 1833 and had six children. He died at St Helier, Jersey on 28 Feb 1870.