10 Facts About Stringer Lawrence

Major-General Stringer Lawrence was a British army officer who served as the first Commander-in-Chief of Fort William from 1748 to 1754.

Stringer Lawrence seems to have entered the army in 1727 and served in Gibraltar and Flanders, subsequently taking part in the Battle of Culloden.

Dupleix's schemes for the French conquest of southern India were on the point of taking effect, and not long after his arrival at Fort St David, Stringer Lawrence was actively engaged.

Stringer Lawrence successfully foiled an attempted surprise by French troops at Cuddalore, but was captured by a French cavalry patrol at Ariancopang whilst leading forces to assist Admiral Edward Boscawen in enforcing the Siege of Pondicherry in 1748.

Stringer Lawrence was kept prisoner by the French until the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle.

When Clive had become famous he honoured Stringer Lawrence by refusing to accept a sword of honour unless one was voted to him, as the creator of the Indian army.

In 1750 Stringer Lawrence returned to England, but he was back in India by 1752.

Stringer Lawrence was commander-in-chief until the arrival of the first detachment of regular forces of the crown.

Stringer Lawrence's arms were: Ermine, a cross raguly gules, as is visible without tinctures on his monuments in Westminster Abbey and Dunchideock, and with tinctures on the vestry screen of Dunchideock Church.

Stringer Lawrence was buried in St Michael's Church, Dunchideock, the parish church of Haldon House, where Palk erected a mural monument to him.