August Theodore Henry ALT

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Baron who had a distinguished career in the British Army.

Born of Hanoverian parents during 1731. His title of Baron is derived from Hesse-Cassel - Hesse-Kassel or Electoral Hesse (Kurhessen) a medium-sized German state that is strategically located between the main part of Prussia and the Prussian provinces of Westphalia in western Germany.

Military Career: 1755 ensign; served in France 1758 he was not involved in the Battle of Minden during 1759. He served in Germany 1760 and at the Siege of Gibraltar 1781. During 1777 he helped to raise the Manchester Volunteers and three Swiss Chasseur regiments in service to the the East India Company. He was appointed Surveyor of Lands for New South Wales and accompanied Captain Arthur Philip on the First Fleet that arrived at Botany Bay on 26th January 1788.

After his arrival in New South Wales he laid out the settlements of Sydney and Parramatta as well as surveying earlier land-grants. Ill health incapacitated him and he had asked to be relieved from duty in 1791, he retired in 1797 and was retired on half-pay in 1802.

He went to live in Parramatta and died there on 9 January 1815. He was buried at Church of England cemetery of Parramatta with a monument giving full biographical details.

Bibliography: Australian Encyclopædia (1912 - third edition revised 1927) published by Angus & Robertson Limited, 89 Castlereagh Street, Sydney New South Wales (page 53)