Born	1783
Died	1820
Son of William Woollcombe and Ann Walker

John Woollcombe

JOHN CHARLES WOOLLCOMBE 1784-1821 (Twin brother of Edward Woollcombe) He was the eldest son of the Rev. William Woollcombe, Rector of East Worlington. He was a Captain in the Royal Navy 17 October 1806. He married at Heavitree, 5 January 1820, Elizabeth Howe, daughter of Robert Carter. He died at Heavitree 13 February 1821. His son William Walker Woollcombe was baptised 2 February 1821. Captain John Charles Woollcombe served in the wars against France at the commencement of the 19th century. He was a midshipman on the Minotaur at the Battle of the Nile, and was in command of the Revolutionnaire at the reduction of St. Sebastian in August and September 1813, and received the war medal for his services. The following is an extract from "The Battles of the British Navy" by Joseph Allen Esq. R.N. "On the 6 September 1806, the 22 gun ship Laurel Captain John Charles Woollcombe, arrived off the Isle of France from the Cape, and shortly afterwards recaptured a Portugese, on board of which were some ladies belonging to the Isle of France. Captain Woollcombe with praiseworthy gallantry immediately sent in a boat with a flag of truce to the Governor, General Decaen, requesting him to send out a vessel to take on shore the ladies with their baggage. The second Captain of the French 40 gun frigate Canonnaire lying in Port Louis, came off on the service during the night, and as he did not return until the morning, it is conjectured, but we hope untruly, that the officer took advantage of the circumstances in order to become acquainted with the size and force of the Laurel. On the 12th, in the afternoon, the Laurel, having chased a vessel close under the guns of Port Louis was standing off again, when a sail was discovered on the lee bow steering a similar course, which proved to be the Canonnaire bearing Commodore Bouragne's broad pendant, mounting 48? guns with a crew of 350 men. The Laurel's armament consisted only of 22 long 9 pounders on the main deck, with 6 eighteen pounder carronades and 2 long sixes on the quater deck and forecastle, and her crew amounted to no more than 144 men and boys. As the two vessels neared each other on opposite tacks, Captain Woollcombe directed the Master to lay the ship close to the enemy: which order the latter strictly complied with. At 6.30 as the Laurel being to windward edged away from the Canonnaire's staboard or weather bow, the latter wore, and being very slow in coming round, the Laurel was enabled to give her two or three raking broadsides; but the French frigate, having at length got round on the starboard tack, discharged her broadside with some effect. The wind gradually died away and both ships continued to engage closely until 8 p.m. when the Laurel's rigging being much damaged, her gaff shot away, and her mizenmast left tottering, the ship, having no chance of escape, struck her colours, having her master, James Douglas, six seaman (3 of whom lost a leg) and two marines wounded. This considering the duration of the action was extraodinary, and can only be accounted for by the relative height of the two ships, in consequence of which the shot of the Canonnaire passed over her low antagonist. The Canonnaire had five men killed and nineteen wounded. Captain Woollcombe was subsequently tried by Court Martial for the loss of his ship, and honourably acquitted and Captain Josias Rowley, the President, passed a very flattering enconium on the defence he had made". (There is also a long account of this fight and the subsequent Court Martial in Jame's Naval History vol 5 pages 70-73). From: http://afinitas.org/Westcott/Bios/BW1785CMsmy.html Lieutenant Benjamin Westcott, RN Court Martial, 1804 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary At Court Martial Assembled on Board His Majesty's Ship Galatea in English Harbour, Antigua 4th Octr. 1804 Present Captain Henry Heathcote, President Captains James O Bryen Kenneth M'Kenzie J C Woolcombe Edwd. Woolcombe The Court Pursuant to an Order from Commodore Hood Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels employed and to be employed at Barbadoes the Leeward Islands &c &c &c to Henry Heathcote, Esqr., Captain of His Majesty's Ship Galatea & Senior Officer of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Antigua dated the 6th of September 1804. Proceeded to enquire into the Conduct of Acting Lieutt. Benjamin Westcott, the Petty Officers and Men under his Command for suffering His Majesty's late Sloop Fort Diamond to be Captured by the Enemy in Rosseau Bay, Saint Lucia. And having heard the Evidence on the part of the Prosecution and what the Prisoner had to offer in his Defence. And very Maturely and deliberately considered the same are of Opinion that the Charges against Lieutenant Benj. Westcott are proved. And that he falls under the first part of the 10th Article of War. In consequence of which the Court do therefore Adjudge him to be Dismissed His Majesty's Service and rendered incapable of ever serving in The Naval Service of His Majesty His Heirs or Successors and he is therefore hereby dismissed His Majesty's Service accordingly. And nothing appearing against the Crew of the said Sloop, the Court do Adjudge them to be Acquitted and they are hereby Acquitted accordingly. [Signatures] HyHeathcoate KMackenzie JOBryen EWoolcombe JCWoolcombe By Order of the Court G B Harrison Judge Advocate [on the side] Mr. Kite From a letter written by Mathew Flinders (http://image.sl.nsw.gov.au/Ebind/s1_56/a053/a053165/a053165.html) [Letter No. 117] Captain J. C. Woolcombe R.N. - Port Napoleon Wilhems Plains Sept. 267. 1808 Sir During the short interview which I had the honour of having with you, it escaped me to request you would command my services, in any way that you conceive I can be useful, either in furnishing or procuring your money should you have occasion for it, or in any other way that you conceive my experience and acquaintance in the island can be useful; to you for although I have the misfortune of differing in opinion with you upon a certain point, this can be no reason with me for not desiring to be useful to a countryman in misfortune, and more particularly to an officer of my own corps, as I hope it will be none with you to refuse my services should you find occasion for them I take the liberty of inclosing for perusal at your leisure, the copy of a memorial I have addressed to the marine minister of France, which contains an abridged statement of my reception and treatment in this island; and beg, that on returning it, you will do me the favour [con'td from bottom of previous page]- doubtful that I ever escape with life from under the hand of general De Caen. This letter being sent by the way of France, I cannot write to the admiralty, and therefore beg such parts of this letter as you judge proper may be communicated to their Lordships