Folios 242-243: George Ferguson, HMS Pyaldes, Deptford. Encloses a Memorial from...

Folios 242-243: George Ferguson, HMS Pyaldes, Deptford. Encloses a Memorial from Lieutenant Alexander Barclay Branch, HMS Pylades stating the officer's merits are far above his commendation, while the Lieutenants's sufferings, which he witnessed over 8 months,"are not to be conceived".

Folios 244-245: enclosure with folios 242-243. Peitition and Memorial, 16 June 1811, Alexander Barclay Branch, Lieutenant, HMS Pylades at Deptford. States he joined the Navy in 1795 and has been in continuous service since then, seeing action with the enemy 50 times, assisting at the capture or destruction of 30 sail of Men of War or Privateers and served under Admiral Lord Nelson, Admiral Sir Richard Strachan, Captain Benjamin Hallowell, Captain David Milne, Captain Edward Griffith, Captain Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Captain Hon Philip Wodehouse, Captain George Miller Bligh and Captain George Ferguson. Advises he was shipwrecked in HMS Pique, HMS Resistance and HMS Weazle. Describes how, in January 1810 he lost his right leg, whilst commanding HMS Gleaner at Smyrna, in an engagement with a large Greek ship which he searched for enemy trade and then eventually captured, and the delay of 5 days before a surgeon could be procured to amputate the leg and, as a consequence of which, the wound took 8 months to heal. Requests he may be considered for promotion.