Lieut Col. Sydney Vere ALSTON [4153]

   Cause of his death was cirrhosis of the liver.

  General Notes:

1840, Gent's. Mag, Sept. 9th, Cambridge Terrace Hyde Park the wife of H. F. Alston of a son.

Birth
9th inst., in Cambridge Terrace, Hyde Park, London, the lady of H F Alston, Esq., of a daughter (sic).
Ipswich Journal 12 September 1840.
However Sydney's military records shows him born in Dublin

From his Service Record on file, Sydney's military career appears to have started at age 18 on 14 April 1859, when, as a gentleman cadet, he joined Chatham Headquarters of The Royal Marines Light Infantry as a 2nd Lieut. He was promoted to 1st Lieut, 12 Dec 1860 and served in a number of Headquarters positions across Britain and Ireland. On 1 Aug 1871 he was at the School of Musketry, Hythe, where he was appointed Assistant Musketry Instructor. After 2 years he returned to Headquarters placements until in 1878, when it is noted he was working in recruiting in Birmingham*. He passed Military Equitation (riding) at Hilsed, 15 May 1879 and was passed for Major, December 1880. Sydney exchanged divisions with a number of his colleagues over the time of his service.
In 1884 he took up command of Fort Euryalus in Sicily and the adjacent port (Oct - Nov). Transferred to the Sudan he served under General Graham in the Suakin Campaign 1885¹ in several positions including Command of the Sandbag Camp outside Suakin Dec 1884. Fought in the battle of Hasheen serving as Senior Major of the Battalion. He was mentioned in dispatches (Gazetted 25 Aug 1885) and promoted to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel (Gazetted 6 Dec 1885) in recognition of his services in the defensive of Suakin 1885.
Retired on his own request 25 April 1890.
1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suakin_Expedition
1 - https://archive.org/stream/suakin1885beings00parrrich/suakin1885beings00parrrich_djvu.txt

*1879 Post Office Directory Birmingham
Alston Capt Sidney Vere 2 Poplar Ave Sandon Rd

Royal Marine Barracks,
Chatham,
November 26 87
My dear General,
In the event of Col Scott leaving the Depot I should feel obliged if you could see your way to sending me there in his place. It would be a great benefit to my wife to be near the sea, as Chatham does not agree with her.
I may add that I have never been attached to the Depot in any rank, during my service in the Royal Marines.
I am,
My dear General,
Yours very truly,
S V Alston

28 November 1887.
My dear Alston,
I have your application for transfer to Depot but I cannot make any promises on the subject or hold out any hope that you might be selected - it is a great object to appoint Officers only who can and will remain for the full period allowed and no one is ever considered eligible who has not as a Lieutenant Colonel proved his fitness for advancement to a higher rank.
Very truly yours,
Gen J.M. Williams

Royal Marines.
Retired on Full Pay.
Alston S V 11 June 1890

Law Report.
Sittings in Bankruptcy, before Mr E Leadam Hough, Senior Official Receiver.
In Re Alston
The first meeting of creditors was held under a receiving order made on the 13th inst in respect to the estate of Sydney Vere Alston, of the Primrose Club, Park-place, St James formerly a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Marines. It was stated that the petitioning creditor was the debtor's wife, claiming under a deed of separation. The debtor retired from the Royal Marines in April 1890 with the rank of colonel, and received a pension of L450 upon which he has since been dependent. The unsecured liabilities are returned at L673 5s 8d., against assets L4 4s., the insolvency being attributed to the debtor having lived beyond his income and incurred a liability on a guarantee. It was also stated that an order might be applied for with a view to a portion of the debtors pension being set aside for the benefit of his creditors.
The meeting was adjourned for a week to enable the petition to be represented at the creditors generally to consider the appointment of a trustee.
Messrs Colyer and Colyer represented the debtor.
The Times 30 May 1902.

Law Report.
Before Mr E. Leadam Hough, Senior Official Receiver.
In Re Alston.
An adjourned meeting of creditors was held under the failure of the Sydney Vere Alston, of the Primrose Club, Park-place, St James, who in April 1890, retired from the Royal Marines with the rank of colonel. He has since been in receipt of a pension of L450, and attributes his failure to the excess of his expenditure over his income, and liability on a guarantee.
Messrs Colyer and Colyer appeared for the debtor.
The creditors passed resolutions for bankruptcy and the appointment of Mr L. R. Dicksee (Sellars, Dicksee, and Co., Chartered Accountants) as trustee of the estate, with a committee of inspection, including Mrs Alston, the debtor's wife, who is petitioning creditor in the proceedings. It was stated that the debtor intended to set aside a portion of his pension for the benefit of his creditors.
The Times 6 June 1902.

Law Report.
Sittings in Bankruptcy, before Mr Registrar Giffard.
In Re Alston.
This was the public examination of the Sydney Vere Alston, of the Primrose Club, St James, a colonel (retired) in the Royal Marines. The statement of affairs showed unsecured liabilities L1,167 1s 5d. and no assets. The Official Receiver reports that L500 of the unsecured liabilities represents solicitors costs (of which some L440 is payable under a guarantee), L326 13s 8d. arrears of alimony due to the bankrupt's wife with costs of judgement and interest, L144 11s 5d. money borrowed, and the balance goods supplied for household and personal use, medical expenses, etc.
Mr E. Leadam Hough appeared as Senior Official Receiver; and Mr Walter Payne for the trustee.
The bankrupt in the course of his examination by the Senior Official Receiver, stated that he held a commission in the Royal Navy from 1859 to April 1890, when he retired and became entitled to a pension of L450 a year, and had since been without occupation. He attributed his insolvency mainly to his expenditure having exceeded his income, liability in respect of a guarantee, and law costs. He had been insolvent for about three years past.
Mr Payne also questioned the bankrupt.
The examination was ordered to be concluded.
The Times 19 June 1902.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 8 Apr 1861, At Sea H.M.S Hero. Sidney is recorded as single aged 20 a 1st Lieut born Dublin Ireland

2. Census: England, 2 Apr 1871, East Stonehouse Devon. Sydney is recorded as head of house married aged 30 Lieut Royal Marines born Ireland

3. Lieut Col Sydney Vere Alston: Military record, 1859-1886.
Note Sydney's note to the General seeking a transfer to the Depot¹ as it would advantage his wifes health.
From his record it appears not to have happened.

1. The Royal Marine Depot, was a military installation occupied by the Royal Marines and located in South Deal, Kent,

Sydney married Catherine Haultain BOXER [4154] [MRIN: 1434], daughter of Major Gen. BOXER R.A. [4155] and Unknown, on 25 Apr 1866 in St Dunstan & All Saints Stepney LND. (Catherine Haultain BOXER [4154] was born on 23 Jan 1848 in Woolwich KEN, baptised on 8 Mar 1848 in St Mary Magdalene Woolwich KEN and died on 8 Feb 1916 in Ryde Isle Of Wight.)