Commander (then Lieutenant), Royal Navy; HMS Arrogant
Born: 15 June 1827, Freshford, Somerset
Died: 18 May 1906, West London
Citation: On the 9th of August, 1854, having ascertained that an Aide-de-Camp of the Emperor of Russia had landed on the island of Wardo, in charge of a mail and despatches for the Russian General, Commander Bythesea obtained permission for himself and William Johnstone, a stoker, to proceed on shore with the view to intercept them. Being disguised and well armed, they concealed themselves until the night of the 12th, when the mail-bags were landed, close to the spot where they lay secreted in the bushes. The mails were accompanied by a military escort, which passed close to them, and which, as soon as it was ascertained that the road was clear, took its departure. Availing themselves of this opportunity, Commodore [sic] Bythesea and the stoker, attacked the five men in charge of the mail, took three of them prisoners, and brought them in their own boat on board the "Arrogant." The despatches were carried to General Baraguay d'Hilliers, who expressed himself in the highest terms of approval.(Despatch from Captain Yelverton, inclosed in a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir C. Napier, of 31st January, 1856.)
(London Gazette Issue 21971 dated 24 Feb 1857, published 24 Feb 1857.)
Note: Cmdr Bythesea was Rear Admiral J Bythesea VC CB CIE at the time of his death.
WILLIAM JOHNSTONE
Stoker, Royal Navy; HMS Arrogant
Born: 1821, Hannover, Germany
Died: 20 August 1857, at sea in the West Indies, aboard HMS Brunswick
Citation: This person was the companion of Commander Bythesea in the above-mentioned enterprize.(Despatch from Captain Yelverton, inclosed in a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir C. Napier, of 13th January, 1856.)
(London Gazette Issue 21971 dated 24 Feb 1857, published 24 Feb 1857.)
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