John Byng
Royal Navy officer, shot for failure in combat (1704-1757) · Died at 52
Admiral of the Blue John Byng was a Royal Navy officer and politician who was court-martialled and executed by firing squad. After joining the navy at the age of thirteen, he participated at the Battle of Cape Passaro in 1718.
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1820 view of Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire, the house built by John Byng![Of two admirals bold,Who engag'd in a terrible Fight:They met after Noon,Which I think was too soon,As they both ran away before Night.''"}},"i":0}}]}" id="mwfQ">We have lately been toldOf two admirals bold,Who engag'd in a terrible Fight:They met after Noon,Which I think was too soon,As they both ran away before Night.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Admiral_bold.jpg/500px-Admiral_bold.jpg)
Of two admirals bold,Who engag'd in a terrible Fight:They met after Noon,Which I think was too soon,As they both ran away before Night.''"}},"i":0}}]}" id="mwfQ">We have lately been toldOf two admirals bold,Who engag'd in a terrible Fight:They met after Noon,Which I think was too soon,As they both ran away before Night.
The Shooting of Admiral Byng, artist unknownAbout this person
Over the next thirty years he built up a reputation as a solid naval officer and received promotion to vice-admiral in 1747. He also served as Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland Colony in 1742, Commander-in-Chief, Leith, 1745 to 1746 and was a member of Parliament from 1751 until his death.