Edward Aldrich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Aldrich
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| Born | 30 December 1802 |
| Died | 24 November 1857 (aged 54) Marylebone, London |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch | Board of Ordnance |
| Years of Service | 1826–1854 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Service number | 591 |
| Unit | Corps of Royal Engineers |
| Commands held | Spain, 1839 CRE, Syria, 1840–41 CRE, Hong Kong, 1843–47 |
| Campaigns | First Carlist War, 1839
Syrian War, 1840–41
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| Awards | Naval General Service Medal (1847), 'Syria' |
Colonel Edward Aldrich (born December 30, 1802 – died November 23, 1857) was a talented British military engineer. He was also an architect and surveyor. He belonged to a special group called the Corps of Royal Engineers. Edward Aldrich helped create the first detailed map of Palestine alongside another surveyor, John Symonds.
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Edward Aldrich's Military Career
Edward Aldrich was a very busy officer. He was given special command roles in different parts of the world. These included Spain, Syria, and Hong Kong, China.
Service in Spain
In 1839, Aldrich was involved in the Carlist War in Spain. His job was to help get the Carlist forces to surrender the Melilla fortress. This surrender was to the Queen of Spain.
Role in the Syrian War
Edward Aldrich led the Royal Engineers during the Syrian War. This was from September 11, 1840, to December 12. He was in charge of several important operations. These included actions at Djouni and Tyre. He also led the bombing and capture of Sidon. Later, he oversaw the bombing and capture of Beirut.
After Beirut, he was in charge of a group of Royal Marines and Turkish soldiers. He received the surrender of an Egyptian Army division. This included 3,000 soldiers, their camp, and 24 cannons. He also took part in the bombing and capture of Acre.
From December 13, he worked on the Staff, moving towards Jaffa. From September 30, 1841, he was the Commanding Royal Engineer. He stayed in this role until British troops left Syria. For his hard work, he received a special medal. It was called the Naval General Service Medal (1847), with a 'Syria' clasp.
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HMS Powerful and Princess Charlotte at the English Camp at Djouni, near Sidon, in 1840
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Plan of Jerusalem and environs from Aldrich & Symonds' survey in March 1841
Work in Hong Kong and China
Edward Aldrich was sent to China in 1843. He became the first Commanding Royal Engineer for Hong Kong. He served there until 1846–1847.
In April 1847, he joined a combined naval and military mission. This was an expedition to Canton up the Canton River. He was in command of attacking and capturing seven forts. These forts included Whampoa Creek, French Folly, Ronge, Zig-zag, Segment, and Shanneen Forts.
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Map of the expedition
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Attacking the batteries near the staked barrier above Whampoa Island
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Attacking the forts of Wookongtap and Whampoa Creek, 3 April
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Royal Sappers and Miners blow up the French Folly Fort
Later Life and Legacy
Edward Aldrich passed away at the age of 57. He died in Marylebone, London. A place in Hong Kong is named after him. It is called Aldrich Bay, located on the north shore of Hong Kong Island.
