Cylchgronau Cymru

Chwiliwch trwy dros 450 o deitlau a 1.2 miliwn o dudalennau

it received its uniform, and a distinctive tartan of the pattern known as the 'Erracht Cameron', specially designed by Mrs. Anne Cameron. Alan Cameron led the regiment through the severe campaign of 1794-1795 in Flanders where it acquitted itself well. In 1796 it served in the West Indies and took part in the recapture of Martinique. Casualties and disease reduced its strength drastically, and in 1797 the battalion was broken up and 210 of the men drafted to The Black Watch. Alan Cameron and his officers returned to the Highlands, and with further help from his father-in-law raised a second 79th Regiment, 780 strong, in 1798. In the following year the 79th was in Holland where it fought in Moore's brigade, performing particularly well on the Helder where Cameron was wounded. In 1800 it was at Ferrol and Cadiz, and in 1801 landed at Aboukir and took part in the battle of Alexandria. In 1804 Cameron received permission to raise a second battalion of the 79th, and within six months had recruited a regiment of 800 men. Both units were placed under his command, and sub- sequently did splendid service in the Peninsular War. Cameron covered the retreat of Sir John Moore at whose special instance he had been promoted to Brigadier-General. The 79th fought at Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onoro, and through- out the campaign in Spain, and later at Waterloo where it formed part of Kempt's Brigade in the 5th Division commanded by Sir Thomas Picton. Alan Cameron was promoted Major-General in July 1810, but soon afterwards ill-health obliged him to return to England. He saw no further active service. In January 1815 he was made K.C.B. on the extension of the Order of the Bath, and in August 1819 was promoted Lieutenant General. He died at Fulham on 9 March 1828. Sir Alan's four sons all served in their father's regiment. Phillips Cameron rose to be Lieutenant-Colonel and commanded the unit at Fuentes d'Onoro in 1811, and died of wounds after the battle. Donald, the second son served as a captain. Ewan, a lieutenant, died after Talavera in 1809. The only son to survive was Nathaniel Cameron who became Lieutenant-Colonel of the second battalion of the 79th, which he commanded during the period 181 3-1 5. He died on 20 April 1860, aged 83. Nathaniel was also the only member of the family who left descendants. He married at Marylebone in November 1812 a West Wales wife, namely Letitia Pryce Cuny daughter of the Revd John Powell Cuny, rector of St. Brides, Pembrokeshire. After retiring from the army. he lived for some time at Dan-y-graig near Swansea. His daughter, Mary Anne Cameron, married in April 1835 John Wyndham Bruce (brother of the first Baron Aberdare), and their eldest son Alan Cameron Bruce-Pryce (died 1908) of Blaen-y-cwm, Monknash, Glamorgan, left a large family (see BLG).