Colonial Despatches

In this despatch, William Whish writes a reference for Blanshard's application for Crown employment, following Blanshard's resignation as governor of Vancouver Island.

William Whish was born in Northwold, Norfolk.1 He was an army officer in the East India Company and fought in the Bengal artillery in India.2 Whish commanded troops in multiple successful actions, such as the siege of Bharatpur and the siege of the citadel in Multan.3 Whish received many promotions for his services and received the rank of major-general on November 23, 1841.4

In 1849, Whish fought alongside Lord Gough for a decisive victory at the battle of Gujrat.5 Following this, Whish was praised by both government and East India Company officials and was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.6 He was promoted lieutenant-general on November 11, 1851.7

William Whish died on February 25, 1853, at Claridge's Hotel in London.8

• 1. R. H. Vetch, Whish, Sir William Sampson, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• 2. Ibid.
• 3. Ibid.
• 4. Ibid.
• 5. Ibid.
• 6. Ibid.
• 7. Ibid.
• 8. Ibid.