Henry Statham was born at at the family home ‘Arnold Grove’ Arnold. Nottingham 3rd December 1789, the third son of Samuel & Katherine Statham and Baptised 5th January 1790
25th November 1806 4th Garrison Battalion was formed
25th September 1807, Henry Statham (Gent). appointed Ensign 4th Garrison Battalion without purchse viz Snow appointed Lieutenant
10th October 1808 Ensign Henry Statham joined the 2nd battalion 84th Foot
18th October 1808 promoted Lieutenant 84th Foot
15th July 1809 embarked at Harwich for Walcheren
15th November 1809 Statham embarked at Walcheren as part of Eatl Chatham’s retiring force. A portion of the 2/84th remained to garrison Walcheren
29th July 1813 embarked with the battalion for Peninsula disembarking 17th August 1813 – He was present at the crossing of the Bidossa, battles of Nivelle and Nive
27th August 1814 sailed with the battalion to Ireland arriving 8th September 1814
24th August 1818, Lieutenant Statham, 1 sergeant and 30 other ranks joined the convict ship Surry as the guard at Deptford before sailing to Woolwich 5th September 1818 where the convicts were to be collected . The Surry departed 19th September 1818
1st February Lieutenant Statham reported sick to the on board surgeon with a pain in the head, nausea vomiting and much tremor of the limbs, with considerable febrile symptoms – the surgeon noted it was caused by intemperance of wine and spirituous liquors over the previous four/five days – this illness degenerated over the next couple of days, whereby he was hallucinating and unable to feed himself due to tremors in his arms
10 am 4th February 1819 Lieutenant Henry Statham died at sea
Mr. W. L. Edwardson, mate of the Surrey wrote “The following reflections on the death of a friend are here applied to the memory of my much valued and highly respected friend, Lieut. Henry Statham, of H.M. 84th Regiment, whose amiable disposition and virtues had endeared him to all who had the happiness to know him. He departed this life at 10 a.m., February 4, 1819, on board the ship Surrey, of London, after a few days illness, which he bore with cheerfulness and resignation. His remains were committed to the deep at 6 p.m. in Lat. 43° 25″ – Long. 93° E. with military honours due to his rank, the funeral ceremonies due to a Christian and with that silent sorrow which his virtues wrung from the hearts of all on board. He was a kind master, an indulgent though excellent officer, a sincere friend, an affectionate brother, a dutiful son and a virtuous man.”
The Surry sailed for Rio de Janerio where it joined the Lord Sidmouth, both ships then sailed for New South Wales arriving 4th March 1819
The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertise 6th March 1819
DIED, on board the ship Surry, on his passage from England to this Colony, after four days illness, in the 30th year of his age, Henry Statham, Esq. Lieutenant in His Majesty’s 84th Regiment of Foot, and third son of the late Samuel Statham, Esq. formerly Justice of the Peace for the County of Nottingham. From the kindness of his disposition, Mr. Statham is deeply regretted by the Gentlemen with whom he sailed, and by his brother Officers with whom he served, and his premature death will prove an inconsolable loss to his Relations in England.
The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 13 March 1819
BY MR. LORD,- At the Barrack Square, on Wednesday next, the 17th March, at 10 o’clock in the Forenoon, THE WHOLE of the EFFECTS of the late Lieutenant STATHAM, of the 84th Regiment; consisting of wearing apparel, bedding, &c. a choice selection of books, writing desk, dressing case, paint box, a beautiful fowling piece, a case of pistols, a pair of ditto with shifting barrels, tea pot, coffee ditto, table and tea spoons, knives and forks, a liquor case, cooking utensils, and numerous other Articles. Prompt Payment.
The Coatee and Shako worn by Henry Statham are on display at the Regimental Museum. Clifton Park, Rotherham
Personal history of Henry Statham has been provided by direct relatives
References:- Birth – High Pavement Presbyterian Death – Royal Navy Medical Journal 1819