12 Facts About Orfeur Cavenagh

General Sir Orfeur Cavenagh was the last Governor of the Straits Settlements to be appointed by the East India Company, governing from 1859 to 1867 under the India Office.

Orfeur Cavenagh trained at Addiscombe Military Seminary, the military academy of the British East India Company.

Orfeur Cavenagh passed his examination in June 1837, and in early 1838 joined the 32nd Regiment Native Infantry.

Orfeur Cavenagh was appointed interpreter and quartermaster to the 41st Regiment Native Infantry.

Orfeur Cavenagh was adjutant of the 4th Irregular Cavalry, and in December 1843 was badly wounded in the Battle of Maharajpore.

Orfeur Cavenagh's leg was severed just above the ankle by a round shot and his horse was killed under him.

Orfeur Cavenagh was wounded again in January 1846 during the first Anglo-Sikh war, when he was struck in the left arm by a ricochetting round shot.

Orfeur Cavenagh was the last Governor who reported to the Governor-General in Calcutta.

Orfeur Cavenagh continued as a general officer in the Bengal Staff Corps, with promotion to lieutenant general in September 1874 and to general in August 1877.

Orfeur Cavenagh married Elizabeth Marshall Moriarty on 7 September 1842 at Dinapore, India.

Orfeur Cavenagh died on 3 July 1891, aged 70, and was buried in the St Mary's churchyard in Long Ditton.

Orfeur Cavenagh was appointed Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India in the 1881 Birthday Honours on 24 May 1881.