Sir Charles A. F. N. Menzies (1783 – August 22, 1866) was born at Bal Freike, Perthshire, Scotland.^[1] 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Perthshire (Siorrachd Pheairt in Gaelic) was a county in central Scotland, which extended from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots3 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  -  First Minister Jack McConnell... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... For other uses, see Hastings (disambiguation). ... Commandant is a military or police title or rank and can mean any of the following: The commander of certain military corps and services, such as the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Commandant of the Coast Guard in the United States or the Commandant of the (now obsolete... 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Perthshire (Siorrachd Pheairt in Gaelic) was a county in central Scotland, which extended from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots3 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  -  First Minister Jack McConnell...

Although he became a respected soldier with the Royal Marines, fighting with Horatio Nelson in the Napoleonic Wars and later rising to the rank of general before becoming aide de camp to the Queen, Charles Menzies is best remembered for the founding of Newcastle, New South Wales and the successful commencement of its settlement between the age of 21 and 22. The Royal Marines (RM), are the Royal Navys elite fighting forces. ... Lord Nelson Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (September 29, 1758 – October 21, 1805) was a British admiral who won fame as a leading naval commander. ... Combatants Allies: Austria[1] Portugal Prussia[1] Russia[2] Spain[3] Sweden United Kingdom[4] Ottoman Empire[5] French Empire Holland Kingdom of Italy Kingdom of Naples Duchy of Warsaw Bavaria[6] Saxony[7] Denmark [8] Commanders Archduke Charles Prince Schwarzenberg Karl Mack von Leiberich Gebhard von Blücher Karl... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... An aide-de-camp (French: camp assistant) is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Biography

Early life

Menzies was the son of Captain Charles Menzies of the 71st Regiment, and mother Sarah Menzies, née Walker.^[1] He was educated at Stirling and his family who lived in their ancestral castle, as was done at that time, bought him a commission at the age of 15, as a second lieutenant in the marines on February 17, 1798.^[1][2] Broad Street at the heart of Stirlings Old Town area (called Top of the Town by locals) Stirling Castle (Southwest aspect) The main courtyard inside Stirling Castle. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1798 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Following his commission he saw plenty of action having been posted to duties that involved blockading French ports and chasing the French and Spanish fleets around the Mediterranean sea. He was attached to Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson's squadron off Boulogne, on France's Atlantic coast and was repeatedly involved in attacking shore batteries and engaged in skirmishes with French boats.^[2] The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one_fifth of its surface. ...

Arrival in Australia

In December 1803 Menzies sailed to Australia on board the HMS Calcutta which was transporting some convicts to New South Wales and then others to form a new settlement in Tasmania (then known as Van Diemen's land.^[2] Capital Hobart Government Const. ...

Menzies was aboard a ship in Port Jackson, Sydney on March 5, 1804 when a rebellion involving a number of convicts broke out^[2] in the area of Castle Hill. This incident would later be called the Vinegar Hill rebellion. Menzies with a detachment of marines landed from the ship to help quell the rebellion. He was promoted to lieutenant shortly thereafter. Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge located on Port Jackson Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ... March 5 is the 64th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (65th in leap years). ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ...

Governor Phillip Gidley King faced with a need to prevent future outbreaks of this nature, hanged the nine leaders of the 300 rebels involved and instructed that resettlement of the Worst of the Irish sent here for Sedition from the others would occur.^[1][2] On March 14, 1804, nine days after the rebellion Menzies wrote to the Governor offering his services to be commandant of the proposed new settlement. King accepted his offer and gazetted him as commandant of the settlement on March 18, 1804.^[1] Philip Gidley King Naval pioneer and colonial governor Captain Philip Gidley King RN (23 April 1758 – 3 September 1808) was an English naval officer and colonial administrator. ... For the Lebanese political coalition, see March 14 Alliance. ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Establishment of Newcastle

Menzies resigned his commission in relation to his detachment of Royal Marines and instead formed an expedition of skilled personnel including the surgeon James Mileham, Isaac Knight whose role was to be superintendent of the convicts, John Tucker a store-keeper, the botanist George Caley, Ferdinand Bauer an artist, and eleven military guards. Thirty-four especially chosen convicts, including three miners, three timber cutters, two carpenters, a gardener and a salt bailer (with the skill of making salt from salt water)^[2] and which also fitted Governor King's description of the worst of the Irish left Sydney on March 28 in three small ships the Lady Nelson, Francis and Resource.^[2] Surgeon may refer to: a practitioner of surgery the moniker of British electronic music producer and DJ, Anthony Child; see Surgeon (musician) This is a disambiguation page—a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Botany is the scientific study of plant life. ... For aviation pioneer see Sir George Cayley George Caley (June 10, 1770 - May 23, 1829) was an English botanist and explorer in Australia. ... Ferdinand Lucas Bauer (1760 - 1826) was an Austrian illustrator. ... March 28 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (88th in leap years). ... The Lady Nelson was a vessel used in the exploration of the coast of Australia in the early years of the 19th century. ...

The party arrived on March 30 by accounts at noon and Menzies' flotilla anchored of the entrance to Coal River. A boat from Menzies ship and seamen aboard the boat rowed him towards the southern shore of the river.^[2] March 30 is the 89th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (90th in leap years). ... The Coal River is a tributary of the Kanawha River in southern West Virginia. ...

Menzies initially named the settlement Kingstown - after the Governor. This later changed to Newcastle, which was the Governor's personal choice.^[1][3]

In fact Governor King had provided Menzies with a Commission dated March 15, 1804 which appointed Lieutenant Charles A. F. N. Menzies of the Royal Marines to command the settlement of Newcastle. The Commission signed by the Governor noted: In law a commission is a patent which allows a person to take possession of a state office and carry out official acts and duties. ... March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (75th in leap years). ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Royal Marines (RM), are the Royal Navys elite fighting forces. ...

Whereas it is expedient, in consequence of an instruction from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies and War Department, as well as from existing causes, that the settlement at the Coal Harbour and Hunter River, now distinguished by the name of Newcastle, in the county of Northumberland, should be re-established without loss of time; and you having offered to take the charge and command of that settlement, which you have been enabled to do by resigning the command of the detachment of Royal Marines, and by being discharged from His Majesty's Ship Calcutta at my request:

You are, therefore, hereby required and directed to take upon you the charge and command of the said settlement; and I do hereby charge and command all His Majesty's subjects that may be within our command to obey your directions, and you to obey all such Orders and directions as you may from time to time receive from me, or any other your superior officer (sic), according to the rules and discipline of war. For which this shall be your authority.^[3]

Menzies' year in Newcastle

Other than the general Commission provided by the Governor, Menzies was instructed to use the convicts to get as many coals as possible, cutting cedar, clearing ground for cultivation and to enforce a due observance of religion and good order.^[1][2] Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ...

Although only aged 21 when he arrived at Newcastle, Menzies proved to be both stern and forward thinking.

This was shown by his rules which dictated that convicts would work from sunrise to sunset but have a rest of two hours in the middle of the day.

To reduce the possibility of the convicts escape, food rations were only issued twice a week to stop the convicts from hoarding food for any escape atttempt.^[2]

Menzies befriended the local Awabakal and Worimi peoples^[4] so that they would not assist any escapees.^[2] The Cammeraygal tribe was an Indigenous Australian tribe that inhabited the Lower North Shore area of the present-day North Sydney Council in Sydney, Australia. ... Worimi may refer to: Worimi people Worimi language Category: ...

Then later when he discovered a plot by the convicts to assassinate him and the other expedition members he arrested and severely punished the ringleaders.^[2]

Huts were constructed under his direction for both the expedition members and the convicts. He organised the building of a large stone wharf and established a coal beacon to assist other ships in their navigation into the harbour. A HDR image of a traditional lighthouse For other uses, see Lighthouse (disambiguation). ...

Governor King said of Menzies in the year that he was commandant that he fixed that Settlement and brought it to a forward degree of perfection.^[2]

After Newcastle

After a year establishing Newcastle, Menzies submitted his resignation to Governor King so that he could return to England and his duty in the Royal Marines. King accepted his resignation and he left soon after, returning almost immediately to active service including a meritorious role in the war against Napoleon. For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ...

He was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Royal Marine Artillery during April, 1813. Her Majestys Royal Marines, usually just known as the Royal Marines (RM) or sometimes colloquially as the Green Berets[1], is the United Kingdoms amphibious force and a core component of the countrys Rapid Deployment Force. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ...

He was promoted to command the Royal Marine Artillery from 1838 to 1844 indeed progressing through the ranks from major to lieutenant-colonel and then in 1857 to general. Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-Colonel in English from the French grades spelling) is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine corps and air forces of the world, typically ranking above a Major and below a Colonel. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

He was appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen in 1852.^[1] Look up queen in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Marriage and children

Menzies met Maria Wilhelmina, daughter of Dr Robert Bryant, physician to the Duke of Gloucester and they married and had five children. Despite all this meritorious service his principal importance in Australia is as the founder of the first permanent settlement at Newcastle.^[1] King Richard III held the title of Duke of Gloucester from 1461 until his accession in 1483 The title Duke of Gloucester (pronounced gloss-ter) is a British royal title (after Gloucester), often conferred on one of the sons of the reigning monarch. ...

Death

He died at Hastings on August 22, 1866.^[1] For other uses, see Hastings (disambiguation). ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... 1866 (MDCCCLXVI) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ...

References and notes

2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ...

Awards

• K.H. in 1831
• Knight Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1856