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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Willcox, James

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2008841A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Willcox, JamesWilliam Richard O'Byrne

WILLCOX. (Commander, 1846.)

James Willcox entered the Navy 3 July, 1826; passed his examination 12 Aug. 1833; and at the period of his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, which took place 23 Nov. 1841, was serving on the coast of Africa as Mate in the Waterwitch 10, Lieut-Commander Henry Jas. Matson. On 29 Dec. 1842 he was appointed Additional of the Spiteful steam-sloop, Capt. Wm. Maitland, fitting for the East Indies; where he removed, in Sept. 1843, to the Vixen, another steamer, Capt. Geo. Giffard. He was employed, 19 Aug. 1845, with the boats of a squadron under Capt. Chas. Talbot, carrying altogether 530 officers, seamen, and marines, at the destruction of the piratical settlement of Malloodoo, on the north end of the island of Borneo; at which place the British encountered a desperate opposition and sustained a loss of 6 men killed and 15 wounded.[1] Soon after the Vixen had been paid off he was promoted, 9 Nov. 1846, to the rank of Commander. He has been employed, since 20 July, 1847, in the Fury steam-sloop, of 515 horse-power, again on the East India station.

Commander Willcox married, 26 Sept. 1846, Amelia Jane Elizabeth Andover, eldest daughter of John Page Bailey, Esq., of Durnford-square, Stonehouse, and Hankhow House, Yorkshire. Agents – Messrs. Chard.


  1. Vide Gaz. 1845, p. 6536.