A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Branch, John Powell
BRANCH. (Lieutenant, 1841. f-p., 18; h-p., 3.)
John Powell Branch, born about the year 1814, is second son of Capt. A. B. Branch, R.N. This officer entered the Navy 7 Feb. 1826; served for seven years in the East Indies; returned home and passed his examination with great credit in 1833; afterwards joined the Excellent gunnery-ship at Portsmouth, where, in the shortest possible space of time, he obtained a Fst.-cl. Certificate; and was ultimately, after more than eight years’ servitude as Mate, advanced to his present rank 8 Nov. 1841. He has been employed, since 21 Dec. 1844, in the Lily 16, Capt. Chas. Jas. Franklin Newton, on the African station. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.