Wadham Wyndham

Colonel Wadham Wyndham (1737–1812) was an English officer of the British Army and accomplished bon vivant. Background The son of Henry Wyndham and Arundel Penruddocke, he was born at Dinton, Wiltshire, on 29 May 1737 at precisely 55 minutes past five in the morning. He was brought up in St Edmund's College, Salisbury, the house acquired by his great-grandfather Sir Wadham Wyndham, and seat of one of the county's most influential families. His early appetite for constant and varied amusement is captured in the double portrait by Joseph Highmore of 1743, which portrays his brother Pen seeking to study while the young Wadham attempts to draw him into the garden, tennis racket in hand. This foretells the course in life for both brothers. Military career He was commissioned ensign and lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of Foot Guards on 13 January 1753. He was promoted to lieutenant and captain on 3 May 1758, and on 2 July 1771, to captain and lieutenant-colonel. He retired from the Army on 13 December 1778. At the time it was required that commissions were purchased and in his will his father records having paid £3,200 in total for the purpose, a not inconsiderable sum.