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John Pilfold


NationalityBritish 
RolesNaval Sailor 
Date of Birth1.1769CSORN
First Known Service15.10.1788CSORN
FatherCharles Pilfold, EsqRNB1823
MotherBathia WhiteRNB1823
WifeMary Ann Horner South (d1832)NAO
DaughterHelen Pilfold (1808-1834)NAO
DaughterEmma PilfoldNAO
NephewPercy Bysshe ShelleyNAO
Last Known Service25.12.1805CSORN
Date of Death12.7.1834 - Stonehouse, PlymouthNAO
Cause of DeathAs a result of a strokeCSORN

Event History


Date fromDate toEventSource
20.1.1769 Baptized at Horsham, SussexODNB
15.10.178831.12.1788
Crown (64) 1782-1816
British 64 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Able Seaman
NAO
1.1.17895.6.1792
Crown (64) 1782-1816
British 64 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Midshipman
NAO
6.6.179227.1.1793
Brunswick (74) 1790-1826
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Able Seaman
NAO
28.1.179328.2.1793
Brunswick (74) 1790-1826
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Midshipman
RNB1823
1.3.179314.7.1794
Brunswick (74) 1790-1826
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Master's Mate
RNB1823
1.6.1794 Glorious 1st of June 
4.7.179427.7.1794
Queen Charlotte (100) 1790-1800
British 100 Gun
1st Rate Ship of the Line
, Able Seaman
NAO
28.7.179420.10.1794
Queen Charlotte (100) 1790-1800
British 100 Gun
1st Rate Ship of the Line
, Midshipman
NAO
21.10.1794 Passed the Lieutenant's ExaminationNAO
3.11.1794 Passed the Lieutenant's ExaminationNAO
8.12.179414.2.1795
Queen Charlotte (100) 1790-1800
British 100 Gun
1st Rate Ship of the Line
, Midshipman
NAO
14.2.17958.3.1795
Russell (74) 1764-1811
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Acting Lieutenant
NAO
9.3.1795 LieutenantCSORN
9.3.17959.1795
Russell (74) 1764-1811
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Lieutenant
RNB1823
23.6.1795 Action of Ile Groix 
31.8.17953.9.1797
Kingfisher (18) 1782-1798
British 18 Gun
Unrated Sloop
, Lieutenant
RNB1823
26.4.179814.4.1802
Impetueux (74) 1794-1813
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
1795 Renamed "Impetueux"
, First Lieutenant
NAO
1.6.18006.6.1800Operation in Quiberon Bay 
25.8.180026.8.1800Attack on Ferrol 
20.6.1803 Married Mary 
28.10.180427.2.1805
Hindostan (52) 1804-1855
British 52 Gun
4th Rate Ship of the Line
1819 Renamed "Dolphin"
1831 Renamed "Justitia"
, Lieutenant
NAO
2.3.18052.7.1805
Dragon (74) 1798-1850
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
1842 Renamed "Fame"
, Second Lieutenant
NAO
3.7.180513.8.1805
Ajax (74) 1798-1807
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, First Lieutenant
NAO
22.7.1805 3rd Battle of Cape Finisterre 
10.180512.1805
Ajax (74) 1798-1807
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
, Lieutenant, and Commanding Officer
BWAS-1793
21.10.1805 Battle of Trafalgar 
25.12.1805 CaptainCSORN
6.1815 Appointed Companion of the Order of the BathRNB1823

Notes on Officer


Actions of June 1800RNB1823

On the 4th the Thames, Cynthia, and small force, attacked the S. W. end of Quiberon, silenced the forts, which were afterwards destroyed by a party of troops landed under Major Ramsay ; several vessels were brought off, and some scuttled; the only loss 2 killed and 1 wounded on board the Cynthia. On the 6th, before day, we succeeded in an attempt upon the Morbihan, from whence were taken 2 brigs, 2 sloops, 2 gun-vessels, and about 100 prisoners; a corvette, I'lnsolente of 18 guns! was burnt, with several other small craft, the guns all destroyed, and the magazine blown up.




Three hundred of the Queen's regiment were employed upon this service; and the gun-launches and naval force were under the direction of Lieutenant John Pilfold of this ship, who boarded the corvette with much bravery, and performed the service with much judgment and officer-like conduct; the loss was only one seaman killed in his boat, and some slight hurts



Service after Trafalgar
Despite his promotion to post rank he appears to have never served afloat again

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