From the houses of Ballinagar and Lisnabrin, are probably descended, however distantly, every one of the name of Croker, who is entitled to wear the arms and crest of the ancient Crocker family: the latter mark of distinction, we should observe, was given by King Edward the Fourth, to his cup-bearer, Sir John Crocker, Mayor of Exeter.
Mr. Walter Croker was born on the 9th Mar. 1784, and commenced his highly honorable career early in 1798, as midshipman, on board the Galatea frigate, commanded by Captain George Byng[1], under whom he served for a period of four years, Daring the peace of Amiens, we find him in the Culloden 74, Captain Charles Henry Lane (afterwards Commissioner at Antigua); and in Mar 1803, joining the Plantagenet of similar force, Captain (now Sir Graham Eden) Hamond, from whom, at a subsequent period, he received the following testimonial of his early gallantry and zeal:–
“Dear Sir,– In answer to yours of yesterday, requesting I will give you a certificate of an occurrence that happened while you were under my command in the Plantagenet, I beg to say, that although it is so long ago, I have a perfect recollection of it, which I believe is nearly as follows: – In the month of July, 1803, I captured (after a very arduous chase) l’Atalante, a ship privateer of Bourdeaux, of 22 guns and 120 men. The night coming on, together with a gale of wind, one boat load of prisoners could only be received on board the Plantagenet, and Lieutenant Batt, yourself, and another midshipman, with about fifteen seamen and marines, remained on board the privateer; you parted company in the night, and I never saw the Atalante again. After your parting from the Plantagenet, the French crew, then consisting of upwards of a hundred, rose upon you, more than once, and nothing but great courage and perseverance on the part of yourself. Lieutenant Batt, and the few men he had with him, succeeded in getting the privateer into Falmouth; from whence a detachment of soldiers from the garrison of Pendennis Castle, were given to assist your taking the privateer to Plymouth.
“Lieutenant Batt, in reporting the circumstance to me afterwards, made high comments on your personal gallantry, and the assistance he received from you on the occasion.
- ↑ The recently deceased and much lamented Viscount Torrington.
