A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Estcourt, Walter Grimston Bucknall
ESTCOURT. (Commander, 1841. f-p., 20; h-p., 6.)
Walter Grimston Bucknall Estcourt was born 16 May, 1807, and died, while in command of H.M.’s steamer Eclair, from the effects of inveterate African fever, which, in its frightful progress, proved fatal to nearly all on board, 16 Sept. 1845. He was fourth son of the present Thos. Grimston Bucknall Estcourt, Esq., of Estcourt, co. Gloucester, Barrister-at-law, D.C.L., and M.P. for the University of Oxford, by Eleanor, second daughter of Jas. Sutton, Esq., of New Park, co. Wilts; and brother (with Capt. Jas. Bucknall Estcourt, of the 43rd Regiment) of Thos. Henry Sutton Estcourt, Esq., M.P. for North Wiltshire, who married the only child of the late Admiral Frank Sotheron.
This officer entered the Navy 5 Aug. 1819; and passed his examination in 1826. Obtaining his first commission 30 April, 1827, he was afterwards appointed – 12 May, 1827, to the Revenge 76, Capt. Norborne Thompson, lying at Portsmouth – 17 Aug. 1830, to the Rainbow 28, Capt. Sir John Franklin, in the Mediterranean – 13 March, 1834, to the Excellent gunnery-ship at Portsmouth, Capt. Thos. Hastings – 3 April, 1835, to the Pique 36, Capt. Hon. Henry John Rous, on the North America and West India station – 18 March, 1836, to the Vanguard 80, Capts. Hon. Duncombe Pleydell Bouverie and Sir Thos. Fellowes, employed on particular service – and, 9 Dec. 1840, to the command, in the Mediterranean, of the Lizard steam-vessel. He attained his last promotion 23 Nov. 1841; and, from 26 Avg. 1844, until the period of his death, commanded the Eclair steam-sloop on the coast of Africa. A tablet in the Royal Dockyard Chapel at Portsmouth records the untimely end of the gallant Commander of the Eclair and his ill-fated companions. Agents ¦ – Messrs. Halford and Co.