John Bazalgette
Encyclopedia
Colonel John Bazalgette was an army officer
actively involved in the affairs of Nova Scotia
for forty-three years. He was born in London, the second son of Jean Louis Bazalgette (1750-1830), a French immigrant born in the Cévennes region, and Catherine, née Metivier (c.1762-1785), also from a French family in London.
Bazalgette had previously served with the British army in other colonial posts before arriving in Nova Scotia in 1811. A Lieutenant
in the 80th Foot, he was promoted Captain
in the 99th Foot (later renumbered 98th Foot) without purchase in 1805. By 1830 he was a Major
in the 98th Foot. In 1837 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army. He was made administrator of the provincial government for Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Harvey
from 30 May to 30 September 1851 and from 22 March to 5 August 1852. This period included the debate on Joseph Howe
's railway policy. It appears from correspondence with the Colonial Office
that he had a good sense of balance between colonial needs and his responsibility to England.
While stationed in Bermuda, he married Sarah Crawford Magdalen Van Norden (1794-1866) and the marriage produced 15 children, 6 girls and 9 boys, of whom seven in turn went into the Army.
By 1854 he was a Colonel
and Deputy Quartermaster-General of Nova Scotia. In that year he purchased the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 2nd West India Regiment. He returned to England the same year and retired in 1858. His long tenure in Canada shows an unusual loyalty to a colonial posting by a British officer of that time.
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
actively involved in the affairs of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
for forty-three years. He was born in London, the second son of Jean Louis Bazalgette (1750-1830), a French immigrant born in the Cévennes region, and Catherine, née Metivier (c.1762-1785), also from a French family in London.
Bazalgette had previously served with the British army in other colonial posts before arriving in Nova Scotia in 1811. A Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the 80th Foot, he was promoted Captain
Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)
Captain is a junior officer rank of the British Army and Royal Marines. It ranks above Lieutenant and below Major and has a NATO ranking code of OF-2. The rank is equivalent to a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force...
in the 99th Foot (later renumbered 98th Foot) without purchase in 1805. By 1830 he was a Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the 98th Foot. In 1837 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army. He was made administrator of the provincial government for Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Harvey
John Harvey (governor)
Lieutenant-General Sir John Harvey, KCB KCH was a British Army officer and a Lieutenant Governor.He was commissioned into the 80th Foot in 1794 and served in several different locations, including France, Egypt, and India...
from 30 May to 30 September 1851 and from 22 March to 5 August 1852. This period included the debate on Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe, PC was a Nova Scotian journalist, politician, and public servant. He is one of Nova Scotia's greatest and best-loved politicians...
's railway policy. It appears from correspondence with the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
that he had a good sense of balance between colonial needs and his responsibility to England.
While stationed in Bermuda, he married Sarah Crawford Magdalen Van Norden (1794-1866) and the marriage produced 15 children, 6 girls and 9 boys, of whom seven in turn went into the Army.
By 1854 he was a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and Deputy Quartermaster-General of Nova Scotia. In that year he purchased the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 2nd West India Regiment. He returned to England the same year and retired in 1858. His long tenure in Canada shows an unusual loyalty to a colonial posting by a British officer of that time.