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A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Anson, Thomas

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1625050A Naval Biographical Dictionary — Anson, ThomasWilliam Richard O'Byrne

ANSON. (Lieutenant, 1843. f-p., 9; h-p., 3.)

Thomas Anson was born 24 May, 1820, and died in 1845. He was fourth son of the Hon. and Rev. Fred. Anson, Prebendary of Southwell, by Mary Anne, only daughter of the Rev. Rich. Levett, of Milford, co. Stafford; and first cousin of Capt. Talavera Vernon Anson, R.N.

This officer entered the Navy, 2 June, 1833, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Asia 84, Capt. Peter Richards, off Lisbon. The whole of his time appears to have been served in that ship, and in the Pique 36, Hercules 74, and Fly 18, Capts. Hon. Henry John Rous, Maurice Fred. Fitzhardinge Berkeley, Russell Eliott, and Granville Gower Loch – the last four years on the South America station. Passing his examination 8 Aug. 1840, he next became Mate in succession of the Indus 78, Capt. Sir Jas. Stirling, and Cornwallis 72, bearing the flag of Sir Wm. Parker. While in the latter ship, on the China station, he was present, in the course of 1842, at the capture of Chapoo, the attack on the batteries of Woosung, the reduction of Shanghae, the storming of Chin-Keang-Foo, and the pacification of Nankin. He obtained his commission 17 Feb. 1843, and from 13 April following until 18 July, 1844, served on the South America and Mediterranean stations in the Cormorant steam-vessel, Capt. Geo. Thos. Gordon, Queen 110, flag-ship of Sir Edw. W. C. R. Owen, and Aigle 24, Capt. Lord Clarence Edw. Paget. During the few months that preceded his death Mr. Anson was unemployed. Agent – J. Chippendale.