Meldrum, John
| Dates | 1620s, c.1642-45 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | England | ||
| Vocation | Parliamentarian army officer | ||
| Place of Birth | Scotland | ||
| Marriage | |||
| Issue | |||
| Place of birth | Source | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
Obscure Scottish origins but had been in the employ of the crown for thirty-six years by 1642, including service in Ireland. Purchased, with Sir William Erskine, a monopoly to build and maintain a lighthouse at Winterton Ness on the Norfolk coast - set them against Trinity House, with the hostmen of Newcastle and the City of London and was a subject of discussion in every parliament between 1621-26. Meldrum retained a patent to another lighthouse at Oxford Ness on the Suffolk coast. Served in Low countries and returned to England c.1621/2. Knighted by James I though returned to the Continent. Commanded a force from London to reinforce Hull (1642) and vigorously defended it against the royalist army. Also helped with capture of Portsmouth and fought at battle of Edgehill. Laid siege to garrison at Newark (1644) and Scarborough (1645). Shot in the stomach and buried in the church of the Holy Trinity, Hull with full military honours.
