OBITUARY. 
By the death of Major W. J. Bobertson, which occurred at Gibraltar, on 
15th November, 1891, the Beg’iment has lost one of its best officers, and the 
Institution a frequent and interesting contributor to its “ Proceedings.” His 
capacity for work was remarkable, and his indomitable energy enabled him to 
study and master many and various subjects. As a Horse Artilleryman, he 
collected interesting records of that branch for these “ Proceedings,” lectured on 
the subject at the United Service Institution, and was a champion of the Horse 
Artillery, but when promotion took him to Gibraltar with equal enthusiasm he 
took up the fresh line, and was furnishing us with valuable papers on the Navies 
of Europe, only three of which he lived to complete. All who have been lately 
at Woolwich will bear witness to his excellent work in the Mess, he spared no 
time or trouble to secure its efficiency, while his organising powers and mastery 
of detail enabled him to carry out much-needed economics. In one word, and 
few men have more claim to the description, he was “ Thorough.” 
Lieutenant F. Bayly, who died at Bath, on the 16th November, 1891, was 
appointed 2nd Lieutenant on the 5th June, 1809. He served in the Peninsular 
War from 1810 to 1814, including the battle of Busaco, on 2nd September, 
1810. He was also at the engagement of Castalla, receiving the silver medal 
and Busaco clasp. In 1814 he embarked for America, and was present at the 
attacks on Baltimore and New Orleans, where he was slightly wounded. He 
returned to Europe in 1815, and accompanied the Prussian armies to France 
after Waterloo. He was placed on half-pay on 20tli June, 1829, and on retired 
pay 1st July, 1881. When the late Major Bobertson was collecting infor¬ 
mation about the B.A. Mess it is believed that Lieutenant Bayly was able to tell 
him from his own memories many quaint stories of dinners and entertainments 
at the Mess in the early part of the Century. 
Major-General E. Hick died at Lympstone, West Exeter, on the 5th Novem¬ 
ber, 1891. He entered the Boyal Artillery, 18th December, 1829, became 
Lieutenant 26th November, 1880 ; 2nd Captain, 23rd November, 1841 ; Captain, 
29th July, 1846 ; Lieut.-Colonel, 20th June, 1854 ; Colonel, 20th June, 1857 ; 
Major-General, 12th February, 1864, when he retired on full pay. 
Major-General Donald McNeill (late Bengal Artillery), died at Edinburgh, 
18th November, 1891. He joined the Bengal Artillery 10th June, 1842, and 
retired on full pay 1st August, 1872. He served in the Gwalior Campaign of 
1843-44, and battle of Maharajpore (bronze star); Sutlej Campaign of 1845-46, 
including the battles of Eerozeshah and Sobraon (medal and clasp); served with 
the Turkish contingent from 24th March, 1855, to 4th July, 1856 (4th class of 
the Medjidie and Turkish medal); served with the Ghoorka force at the fall and 
capture of Lucknow in 1858 (mentioned in despatches, brevet of Major, medal 
with clasp). 
Colonel W. E. B. Laurie, Boyal Artillery (late Madras), who died at Chis¬ 
wick, on the 10th November, 1891, joined the Madras Artillery in January, 
1842, and retired on full pay 26th January, 1870. Served with the Nigool 
Field Force from 15th January to 7th February, 1848, and was present at the 
taking of the stockade of Hurrithputterghur. Served in the second Burmese 
War from 31st March, 1852, including the attack and capture of Rangoon, 
affairs of Kvonkyedurg and Gongho, and with a field force to Myonkhala (medal). 
He wrote, among other works, the “ First and Second Burmese Wars ” and 
“ Distinguished Anglo-Indians,” both of which were successful, 
