London, Upper Canada
19 January 1839
Sir
It is with deep
regret that I have to report to you, for the information of His Excellency the Commander
of the Forces, the Death of Colonel The Honble John Maitland CB 32nd
Regiment which took place at this station at half past two o'clock yesterday morning.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant
H. Reid Major 32nd Regt.
Hol. Commg.
Colonel Rowan CB
Military Secretary
&c. &c. &c.
Montreal
The British Colonist, Jan. 21,
1839.
Died.
In London, Upper Canada, on the 18th Jan. - Colonel the Hon. John
Maitland, C. B. 32nd Regiment. Commanding the London and Western Districts - in the 50th
year of his age.
Col. Maitland was 3d son of the Right Hon. the Earl of Lauderdale. He commenced his
military career on the 27th February, 1807, as Ensign in the 52nd Regiment, and was
present with that corps the same year in the expedition to Copenhagen, under the command
of Lord Cathcart. He obtained a Lieutenancy in his Regiment in 1808, and served with it in
Spain and Portugal in 1808, and 1809 in the campaign of Sir John Moore. In 1810 he was
promoted to a company in the 47th Regiment, and served with the army in the Peninsula,
during the campaigns of 1810 and 1811, as A.D.C. to Sir Wm. Houston. He was afterwards
appointed A.D.C. to his uncle Sir Thomas Maitland, in England, and accompanied that
distinguished officer to Malta, on his being appointed commander of the Forces in the
Mediterranean, and Lord High Commissioner to the Ionian Islands.
In 1814 Col. Maitland obtained a Majority in De Roll's Regiment, and in 1816 was
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Colonel Maitland continued on the staff of Sir Thomas Maitland from his first
appointment until he was gazetted to the command of the 32d Regiment on the 26th of March,
1818, and which command he continued to hold until his death, a period of nearly twenty
one years.
For his service last winter during the insurrection in Lower Canada, and subsequently
while in command of the Western Frontier, in Upper Canada; but more particularly for the
prompt manner in which he attacked and dispersed a band of American brigands assembled on
Pelee Island, in Lake Erie - Her Majesty was graciously pleased to confer on Col. Maitland
the distinction of Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
During the many years Col. Maitland commanded the 32d Regiment, he gained the good will
and esteem of all under him, by his kind, gentle and amiable disposition. His brother
officers lament his loss, as an agreeable companion and as a sincere friend warmly
attached to their interests - and to the soldiers of the regiment that of a mild and
indulgent commanding officer, whose constant study it was, to attend to their comforts,
and to promote their real interests and happiness. - Patriot.
The British Colonist, Jan. 24, 1839.
The Lieutenant Governor announces, with sincere concern, the death at 2 o'clock A.M.,
yesterday, of Colonel the Honourable John Maitland, who has for the last twelve months
commanded in the London and Western Districts.
The great assistance which has been rendered by this highly valuable and much lamented
officer in organizing the Militia force, and in various ways assisting and promoting the
welfare of the community through a most eventful period, has been most highly appreciated,
not only by the Government, but by the inhabitants at large, whose esteem and respect he
had entirely gained; and as Sir George Arthur is aware that a very general desire
prevailed to pay every possible respect to the memory of Colonel Maitland, it is notified
that the funeral is appointed to take place at London on Friday next, the 25th inst., at
two o'clock. -- Patriot. Jan. 22.
[The Hon. Col. John Maitland, was the third son of James Earl of Lauderdale.
We understand that the requisite preparations are making to preserve the body of the
deceased, - Mr. Joyce from London, U.C., having come to town to procure a lead coffin,
&c., wherein to deposit the body, till such time as they hear from the friends of the
deceased in Scotland. It is the present impression that his remains will be sent home in
spring to be interred in the family vault.
