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Clan Munro USA
Genealogy Pages
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 Abt 1801 - Yes, date unknown
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| Name |
Alexander Thomson Munro |
| Born |
Abt 1801 |
Of, Tain, Scotland  |
- Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.
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| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
Yes, date unknown |
| Person ID |
I16501 |
Munro |
| Last Modified |
5 Nov 2009 |
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| Notes |
- Alexander grew up in the burgh of Tain. His father had been a soldier with a sterling record and he had three uncles who had seen much army service, so Alexander was destined for the army. After the defeat of Bonaparte there were so many young officers on half-pay that his father's record, along with the best endeavours of his friends, could not obtain a commission for the lad.
When he was 16, Alexander went to try his fortunes in the West Indies. After two or three years in Grenada, he heard that some new regiments were being added to the army at home. He returned home in haste only to find that their establishments were already complete.
In 1821, he was made a burgess and guild brother of Tain, but he had not given up the idea of a miitary career. To learn something of the profession on which his heart was set, he determined to enlist in the ranks. He became a private soldier in the Blues in 1823 and was soon promoted to non-commissioned officer. In 1831, after 6 1/2 years service, he was recommended for the adjutancy of his regiment, and obtained the Ensigncy promised by the Duke of York (as Commander-in-Chief) on account of his father's service.
Instead of joining the 78th Highlanders, to which he was commissioned (and in which any Ross-shire man might be proud to serve), Alexander chose to pay the difference between 450 pounds and 1200 pounds, which was the cost of a Cornet's commission in the Blues. Whether it was the lure of the cavalry to a handsome young officer, or the fact that Ross-shire's infantry regiment was then stationed in Ceylon, what fixed his choice, we shall never know.
In 1833, Alexander was promoted to Lieutenant. In the summer of 1843, his regiment was stationed at Knightsbridge in London. His brother-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel David Lyner Fawcett, of the 55th Foot, had entrusted the management of some property to Alexander's care while Fawcett was abroad. When he returned, a dispute arose over the sale of a house. In a state of irritation, Fawcett rang the bell and ordered Munro to leave. The next day, as no apology had been made, Munro reluctantly sent him a challenge, and a day later, 1 Jul 1843, a "meeting" was arranged.
The two officers, with their seconds and a doctor, went in the grey dawn to a field near the Brecknock Arms, between Camden Town and Highgate. Munro, who not long before had shown his willingness to act as second in a dispute between civilians, was convinced that his opponent would fire to kill, and when shots were exchanged, Fawcett fell mortally wounded in the side. He was able to shake hands with Munro, however, and assured a policeman who inconveniently arrived on the scene that it was an accident.
Fawcett died two days later, and at the inquest a verdict of wilful murder was recorded. The seconds were tried soon afterwards and acquitted, but Munro fled the country before he could be arrested. He is believed to have served in the Prussian army for the next four years. On 19 Jan 1844, his commission in the Blues was superseded being "absent without leave".
After four years in exile, Alexander returned and surrendered himself to the authorities. On 18 Aug 1847, he was put on trial at which many of his brother-officers spoke in praise of Munro's character as a humane and amiable gentleman, unaddicted to quarrelling. The Attorney-General (Waddington) who conducted the prosecution, admitted that Munro had a very excellent character "such a one, indeed, as he had seldom heard given to any man".
After only fifteen minutes of deliberation, the jury returned to pronounce him guilty with a strong recommendation to mercy. The judge sentenced him to death but suspended the sentence and commuted it to twelve months imprisonment in Newgate jail. Alexander is said to have obtained appointment as a barrack-master in Ireland after his release.
The incident became known as the "Camden Town Duel" and it immediately inspired laws against dueling with severe penalties. The Camden Town Duel was the last time that a British officer killed his man in a military duel on his native soil.
Ref: "The Highlander" - May/Jun 87 - p. 59-63
Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA
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