Henry William Breton

Breton was commissioned as an ensign in the 4th Regiment of Foot in March 1815.^[1] He became commanding officer of the 53rd Regiment of Foot in 1848 and a brigade commander in India in April 1850.^[2] Promoted to major-general in 1851, he became General Officer Commanding South-West District in February 1855^[3] and commander of the troops in Mauritius in 1857.^[4]

He also served as the twelfth and final colonel of the 56th (West Essex) Regiment of Foot from 23 April 1860^[5] to 1881, when the regiment amalgamated with the 44th Foot to form the Essex Regiment.^[6] He continued afterwards as the Colonel of the 2nd Battalion of the Essex regiment.^[7]

He was promoted Lieutenant-General 15 December 1861.^[8]

He was buried at Highland Road Cemetery in Portsmouth.^[4]