General Sir Edward Selby Smyth KCMG 1893 - 1896

Born in Belfast on 31st March 1819, Sir Edward Selby Smyth was appointed an Ensign by purchase on 26th January 1841. Again by purchase, he became a Captain on 4th August 1848 and was Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General, Cape of Good Hope from May 1853 to 22nd March 1855. From 28th March 1855 to 20th June 1861 he was Deputy Quartermaster-General at the Cape.

Later appointments included:- General Officer Commanding Militia, Dominion of Canada 1874-1880, Colonel, 72nd Foot 1881, General 1882 and Colonel of the Antrim Artillery 1891. He became Colonel of The Queen’s on 29th August 1893, and died on 22nd September 1896.

His active service included serving as Brigade Major to the Forces in the Southern Concan and Sawant Warree country during the Campaign of 1844 and 1845, where he was present at several attacks, and he also served in the Kaffir War of 1851 - 1852. He was mentioned in General Orders for his conduct in command of a Column in action at Fish River Bush and he commanded a detatched Column at the battle of Berea.

He received the thanks of the Irish Government in 1867 for his services as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General during the suppression of the Fenian outbreak. While commanding the troops in Mauritius he was twice sworn in and acted as Governor in 1870 and 1871. He commanded the Militia in Canada from 1874 to 1880, during that time leading a pioneering expedition across the North West Territory, the Rocky Mountains and British Columbia. He died in command.