Note 1 — REGIMENTAL LISTS.
Reading edition
Youngest son of the Rev. Thomas Holmes Tidy, chaplain to H.M. 26th Foot, and afterwards rector of Red Marshall, co. Durham, by Henrietta Augusta, dau. of the Rev. Wm. Skelly, by Lady Betty Gordon, dau. of Alexander, Duke of Gordon. If “fighting blood” is hereditary, then must “Frank Tidy,” as he was always called, have had a good share, for he was maternally descended from Charles Mordaunt, the “fighting” Earl of Peterborough, and had for his uncle the gallant Francis Skelly, maj. in the 71st Highlanders, who gained renown at the siege of Seringapatam. Joined the 43rd Regt. in Ireland as a volunteer at the age of 16, and was soon gazetted an ensign. When serving with his regt. in the West Indies “a 125mortality of from ten to thirteen men a day reduced the 43rd to 96 rank and file, and Guadaloupe being disputed inch by inch, the 43rd, at the time of its capture at Berville, did not contain more than two officers and twenty men fit for duty.” Tidy was confined for 15 months on board a hulk, subject to the tyranny and cruelty of Victor Hughes, thence sent to France, and eventually allowed to return to England on parole. Appointed adjt. of the 43rd. Promoted capt. 1st West India Regt. 1798; in 1799 exchanged to the Royal Scots. A.D.C. to Sir George Beckwith in the West Indies. Maj. 8th W.I. Regt., and transferred to the 14th Foot 1807. Served in Spain in 1808; Walcheren expedition 1809. Horse shot at Waterloo. C.B. Served in Burmese War with 1st Batt. Lt.-col. 44th Regt. 1825. D. at Kingston, Canada, while in command of the 24th Regt., 9th October, 1835, leaving issue, several sons and daughters. An interesting memoir of Col. Tidy was published in 1849 (written by his dau., Mrs. Ward) entitled: Recollections of an Old Soldier.