31st, 1812[1]. Shortly after his return from French prison, he was advanced to the rank of commander, by commission dated July 23d, 1814.
WILLIAM HIRD, Esq.
[Commander.]
Obtained his first commission in Jan. 1796; commanded the Ant schooner, previous to the peace of Amiens; and subsequently served for several years as flag-lieutenant to the late Vice-Admiral Pickmore: his promotion to the rank of commander took place on the 29th July, 1814.
WILLIAM HALL, Esq.
[Commander.]
Served as midshipman under Captain (now Sir Richard G.) Keats, in the Boadicea frigate; obtained the rank of lieutenant on the 1st May, 1807; and commanded the Bouncer gun-vessel, under the orders of the same distinguished officer, at the defence of Cadiz; during which arduous service he appears to have been badly wounded[2]. He was promoted from the Bellerophon 74, (bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Keats, on the Newfoundland station) to the command of the Sabine sloop, July 29th, 1814. He married, in 1816, Ann, youngest daughter of Peter Churchill, of Dawlish, co. Devon, Esq.
CHARLES PEARSON, Esq.
[Commander.]
Was made a lieutenant on the 8th of Nov. 1808 ; and served as second of the Phoebe frigate. Captain James Hillyar, at the capture of the United States’ ship Essex, March 28th, 1814[3]. On this occasion, his gallant captain wrote to the Admiralty as follows:
“I have to lament the death of four of my brave companions, and with real sorrow I add, that my first lieutenant, William Ingram, is among the number; he fell early, and is a great loss to His Majesty’s service. * * * Our lists of wounded are small, and there is only one for whom I am under any anxiety. * * * * I feel it a pleasant duty to recommend to their lordships’ notice my now senior lieutenant, Pearson.”
