Lord Clire's Right - hand Han. By Colonel Lionel Forde. (James Nisbet
and Co. 5s. net.)—Captain Francis Fordo was one of the officers of the 39th Foot when it landed in India in 1754, being the first King's regiment that was sent to that country. He was pro- moted to be major in 1755. In 1757 he was put in command of a detachment. In 1759 he was superseded. But in that time he contrived to win a very high place in Clive's regard. His first affair was a disaster. He attacked the fort of Nellore and was repulsed. This happened in May, 1757. At the same time the hostilities with the French began. Three months later the 39th was recalled ; but Major Forde remained, entering the Company's service with a step in rank. Early in the following year he was appointed by Clive to the command of the troops in Bengal. Clive's reasons are not known—probably he had not much choice— but his action was amply justified. Fordo won a victory over the Marquis de Conflans at Condore in December, 1758; he captured Masulipatam in the April of the following year, extricating him- self in a masterly -way from a position which seemed hope- less. Later in the same year he won the battle of Badara, his antagonists being the Dutch. In the same year he was superseded by the Company. His successor was a great soldier, Sir Eyre Coots, but the conduct of the Company which he had served so well was inexpressibly shabby. Clive remained a faithful friend then and afterwards. For nine years Fordo remained in retirement. He had left the service of the Crown, and the Company had dismissed him; it is true that he had some pecuniary compensation, for which he had been prudent enough to bargain beforehand. In 1769 his turn came. The Company was in difficulties. After much negotiation and debate three supervisors were appointed to look after affairs in India ; Fordo, through the influence of Lord Clive, was made one of them. He sailed with his two colleagues on September 21st, reached the Cape on December 6th, sailed again on the 27th, and was lost at
sea. He had never received any distinction or recognition of service. But it is something to be called "Clive's Right-hand Man," and Colonel Lionel Forde has done well in helping to do him justice.
Previous page
