Draft:Lieutenant Colonel Robert Anwyll

Lieutenant Colonel 

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Anwyll (Fig 1) (1780 - 27 June 1831) was an Army Officer of the 4th (Kings Own) Regiment of Foot who was awarded for Gallantry in the Peninsular War in 1814.

Robert was born in Merionethshire, Wales. He joined the Military as a Lieutenant in the Merioneth Militia 2 Mar 1798. He was dispatched on the Helder Expedition on 27 August 1799 and was wounded in battle.

Promoted to Lieutenant 4ht (Kings Own) Regiment of Foot 27 October 1799, he was initiated into the regiments Loyal and Friendly Society of Orange and Blew on 1 July 1800.

On 14 August 1804, Robert was promoted to Captain and confirmed in the London Gazette on 3 November 1804. In 1810 he was stationed in Gibraltar and Ceuta. He was involved in a number of Battles in the Peninsular Wars and was mentioned in dispatches by Major General William Henry Pringle "I particularly wish to mention Captain Anwyll 4th Regiment acting Brigade Major" at the battle of Villamuriel 25 October 1812.

Promoted to Brevit Major on 21 June 1813 which was confirmed 3 July 1813. In 1814 Robert was awarded the Army Gold Medal (small) (Figure 3) engraved "St Sebastion" for heroic actions in the Peninsular War before being posted to Canada as A.A.G to General Colville in the War of 1812. The 4th Kings Own Regiment of Foot made a speedy return back to Belgium in time for the Battle of Waterloo. He was awarded the Waterloo Medal in due course and is mentioned in the 1815 Waterloo Medal records held at Kew, London as " ANWYLL, 123" No 28 1st Battalion 4th Regiment Foot.

Promoted to Brevit Lieutenant Colonel 21 June 1817 and Substantive Major 3 August 1820. He was married on 22 October 1822 to Senhouse Barrow, in St Michael, Barbados. In 1826 Robert purchased a vacant Lieutenant Colonel in his Regiment, then on 13 December 1827 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 95th Regiment of Foot stationed in the Isle of White.

Due to medical grounds he was retired on half pay 15 June 1830 and died 27 June 1831 in Arreton, Isle of Wight. He is buried at St George's Churchyard, Arreton. His remains are deposited in a vault within the railings on the south side of the porch of the church. (Figure 5).