Lieutenant James Bracey

Lieutenant James Bracey, shown here in a naval blue coat and with a steely look, served under the infamous Admiral John Byng (1704-1757) who was court-martialled and shot on his own quarter-deck for alleged cowardice during the Battle of Minorca at the beginning of the Seven Years’ War.

An accompanying hand-written note (now in several pieces but complete) reads –

A portrait of one of my Father’s ancestors, James Bracey Lieutenant in the Royal Navy in the same ship with Admiral Byng John. He made that fatal mistake and who was fired by Court Martial and condemned to death in the year 1757. None of the officers were ever promoted afterwards on that vessel.

The portrait is set in the original gold frame that is glazed on the reverse to show plaited brown hair with monogrammed initials JB (now slipped within the frame). There are light scratches to the front glass and dust under the rear glass but otherwise it is in good condition.