11 Facts About Peter Scratchley

Peter Scratchley was educated in Paris and attended the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.

Peter Scratchley served in the Crimea and Indian Mutiny and in October 1859 was made a captain.

Peter Scratchley then had several tours of duty in the Australian colonies advising on defence.

Peter Scratchley had constructed batteries around the coast of Port Phillip by expending a comparatively small sum.

The Jervois-Peter Scratchley reports formed the basis of defence planning in Australia and New Zealand for the next 30 years.

Peter Scratchley retired with the honorary rank of Major-General on 1 October 1882, but was still employed as defence adviser for Australia by the Colonial Office.

Peter Scratchley was appointed special commissioner for Great Britain in New Guinea in 1884, and arrived there in August 1885.

Peter Scratchley soon contracted malaria and died at sea on aboard the Governor Blackall on 2 December 1885.

Peter Scratchley was buried in Melbourne and then reinterred to the Old Charlton cemetery in England.

Peter Scratchley left a widow, two daughters and a son.

Peter Scratchley was created a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in June 1885.