Sempronius Stretton

Artist and the military He entered the army at an early age, commencing his military career in the Nottinghamshire Militia, which he joined at Dumfries, in April 1800. In the following November, he entered the 6th Regiment of Foot at Chatham as an ensign. Stretton's 1804 sketch of "York Barracks, Lake Ontario, Upper Canada, 1804" is credited as being one of the earliest pictures of what was to become the city of Toronto. Lieutenant Stretton served under Colonel Isaac Brock, who selected him to act as his aide-de-camp. York Barracks in 1805 by Stretton (this would become the city of Toronto). Later he was promoted to a company in the 40th Regiment. He returned to England and undertook duties in the recruiting service. Stretton ability as a draughtsman was acknowledged by his father and many of his sketches were included in his father's records. This battle ended the rule of Bonaparte's eldest brother and Stretton returned from the battle with Joseph Bonaparte's Forrage Cap Top which was kept in the regimental museum.

On 28 July 1813, Captain Stretton received the thanks of Lord Wellington, conveyed to him through William V, Prince of Orange, for the gallant defence made by the 40th, under his command, supported by two Portuguese regiments, in defending the position on the heights before Pamplona. For this he was awarded the Army Gold Medal, and received the brevet rank of major. His account of his leadership in defending the heights of Pamplona were included in the history of the regiment.

He was present in the numerous actions with the enemy which ended with the battle of Toulouse, 10 April 1814. When the army was withdrawn from France, he accompanied it to New Orleans in 1814, and nearly lost his life when shipwrecked in the Baring transport in Bantry Bay on 10 October 1814. From Cork, Major Stretton sailed in the Wellington transport, and arrived on the Mississippi River on 9 January 1815.

Family Stretton married twice. On 3 March 1821, he married the Honourable Catherine Jane Massey William, who was elder daughter of General the Right Hon. Nathaniel William, second Baron Clarina. She died four months after their marriage. He married again on 14 October 1830 to the Honourable Anne Handcock, whose father was 2nd Baron Castlemaine. She was to remarry after Stretton's death. There were no children as a result of either marriage. where a plain monument marks his grave. The house in Lenton, Nottingham, that he had inherited from his father and never made his residence was left to his brother Severus.