Albert-Édouard Le Brethon de Caligny

Albert Édouard Le Brethon de Caligny (11 December 1833 Pont-l'Évêque, Calvados – 17 January 1863, Shaoxing) was a French Navy officer and founder of the Ever Victorious Army. (clarification needed)

Career After studies at the École Polytechnique, Le Brethon joined the French Navy, rising to midshipman in 1855. He served on Persévérante and on Lavoisier before rising to Ensign on 9 October 1857.

He took part in the Italian unification on Tempête in 1859 before transferring on the frigate Forte the next year. He distinguished himself during the Battle of Shanghai while leading a landing party, and was awarded command of Confucius. From October, he commanded a mixed troop of French and Chinese soldiers fighting the Taiping Rebellion.

Posthumously promoted to general in the Chinese Army, he was buried at Kangpo. The gunboat Aigrette was renamed to Le Brethon in his honour.

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