Admiral John Byng (1704-1757), 1749 (oil on canvas)

Creator: Thomas Hudson A three-quarter-length portrait to the right, in flag officer's full-dress uniform, 1748-1767. The Honourable John Byng, the fourth son of Admiral Viscount Torrington, had an unremarkable career until he was sent to relieve the British-held island of Minorca in 1756 when it was under siege by the French. Having risen to flag rank through his illustrious connections but without fighting experience commensurate to the task, his action with the blockading French fleet was inconclusive and the island was lost. He was recalled, humiliatingly confined at Greenwich Hospital, then court-martialled and shot in 1757 on board his own flagship, 'Monarch', at Portsmouth, for neglect of duty.