Arthur Cunynghame

General Sir Arthur Augustus Thurlow Cunynghame (3 August 1812 (Cunynghame's birthdate is often misreported as 12 August; however, he was baptised in Oakley on 9 August 1812 and the news of his birth the previous Monday was published in the local newspaper on 10 August.)

Early life Cunynghame was born at Malshanger House

Career Cunynghame joined the Army in November 1830 after purchasing a commission as a second lieutenant in the King's Royal Rifle Corps, 60th Rifles. He was promoted to lieutenant on 2 May 1835 and in 1841 was transferred to the 3rd Buffs. He served in the First Opium War as aide-de-camp to Major-General Alexander Fraser, Lord Saltoun, and he was present at the Battle of Chinkiang. He was mentioned in despatches and was present at the Treaty of Nanking. He served as aide-de-camp to Saltoun through January 1844.

In 1845, he was promoted to major and in November 1846 he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 13th Light Infantry. Within a month he transferred as lieutenant-colonel in the Grenadier Guards. He joined the 20th Regiment in 1849 and the 27th Regiment in 1852. In 1853–54, he served as aide-de-camp to his father-in-law, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces Viscount Hardinge, until returning to action in the Crimean War. and promoted to lieutenant-general in 1870. In February 1876, he left the 36th Regiment to become colonel commandant of the 60th Rifles, his former Corps. On 1 October 1877, he was promoted to general.

He was placed on the retired list in 1881.

Personal life In 1845, he married Frances Elizabeth Hardinge, daughter of Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge. They had three daughters and two sons:

Lavinia Augusta Charlotte Cunynghame (d. 31 Mar 1922) married Capt. George Williams-Freeman, son of Frederick Peere Williams-Freeman (grandson of Adm. William Peere Williams-Freeman and Augusta Napier (daughter of Capt. Henry Edward Napier). They had three sons, and two daughters. Emily Caroline Thurlow Cunynghame married Charles Walter Oddie. no known issue. Mary Sarah Hardinge Cunynghame. Unmarried. Sir Henry Hardinge Samuel Cunynghame KCB (8 July 1848 - 3 May 1935) married Emily Harriette Prescott, daughter of Col. Arthur Prescott, on 21 June 1893. No issue. Arthur Hardinge David Cunynghame (17 Nov 1853 - 14 Nov 1917) married Alexandra Isabel Scott, daughter of Alexander Scott. They had two sons and a daughter.

He died at sea returning home from India while traveling for pleasure with his eldest daughter.