A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Lilburn, James Robert Roddam
LILBURN. (Lieut., 1829. f-p., 21; h-p., 6.)
James Robert Roddam Lilburn, born 1 April, 1807, is son of Commander Jas. Lilburn, R.N. (who was killed in a cutting-out affair under the Molehead batteries in the port of Malaga 29 April, 1812), byPhillis, youngest daughter of Gilbert Selby, Esq., of Holy Island. He is brother of the present Lieut. Selby Lilburn, R.N.; and nephew of Lieut. Robt. Lilburn, R.N., who died while commanding a schooner in the West Indies.
This officer entered the R.N. College 3 Feb. 1820; embarked 7 Feb. 1822, as a Volunteer, on board the Active 46, Capt. Andrew King, lying at Portsmouth; and in the following Nov., after having been borne as a Supernumerary on the books of various ships, joined the Martin 20, Capts. Christ. Crackenthorp Askew and Henry Eden, on the Mediterranean station. He next, from Feb. 1825 until Oct. 1826, served in South America as Midshipman on board the Doris and Thetis frigates, Capts. Sir John Gordon Sinclair and Sir John Phillimore; and he was then for two years and a half employed as Mate, at home and in the Mediterranean, in the Herald yacht, Capts. Henry Eden and Edw. Wm. Corry Astley, Prince Regent 120, flag-ship of Sir Robt. Moorsom, Pearl 20, Capt. Geo. Chas. Blake, and Asia 84, flag-ship of Sir Pulteney Malcolm. On 9 July, 1829, he was made Lieutenant into the Wellesley 74, Capt. Fred. Lewis Maitland, also on the Mediterranean station, whence he returned in Sept. 1830. His appointments have since been – 6 April, 1831, for a few months, to the Savage 10, Capt. Lord Edw. Russell, employed at Lisbon and at Cork – 15 April, 1835, to the Magicienne 24, Capt. Geo. Wm. St. John Mildmay, stationed off the coasts of Spain and Portugal – 19 Nov. 1838, and 3 Nov. 1839, to the Daphne 18, and Vanguard 80, Capts. John Windham Dalling and Sir Thos. Fellowes, again in the Mediterranean – and 6 Dec. 1841, to the Coast Guard, in which service he continues.
When in the Doris, Wellesley, and Magicienne, Lieut. Lilburn distinguished himself by thrice jumping into the sea after persons who had fallen overboard. He married, 19 Sept. 1843, Christian, daughter of G. Markwell, Esq., of Holy Island, by whom he has issue. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.