John Beresford

In the chapel of St John the Evangelist in Westminster Abbey (near General Wolfe's memorial) is a white marble tablet to John Theophilus Beresford. The sculptor was Henry Westmacott. The inscription reads:

Sacred to the memory of John Theophilus Beresford, eldest son of Marcus Beresford and the Lady Frances his wife, Lieutenant in the 88th Regiment of Foot, who died in the 21st year of his age at Villa Formosa in Spain of wounds received from the exploding of a powder magazine at Ciudad Rodrigo; after he had passed unhurt through eight days of voluntary service of the greatest danger during the siege, for which he received the thanks of the commander in chief. Brave and zealous in his military duties, animated by a strong feeling of piety to God and distinguished by his ardent filial affection and duty towards a widowed mother; he has left to her the reconciliation of his rising virtues as her only consolation. Under the irreparable loss she has sustained by his death.

Born January 16th 1792. Died January 29th 1812. Interred with military honours in the fort of Almeida "Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. Wisdom of Solomon, chap.IV, ver.XI"

His grave on the bastion of Almeida fort has recently been restored.