Rear-Admiral Mark J. Currie
(1795-1874)
11 June 1862

Volume 7, page 110, sitting number 8685.

As a Captain in the Royal Navy in the early 1830s, Mark John Currie played a significant role in the exploration of Australia and the foundation of the Swan River Colony, later named Western Australia.

He is seen here in 1862, at which time he held the rank of Rear-Admiral. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1867. 

Vice-Admiral Mark John Currie died on 2 May 1874 at 24 Thicket Road, Anerley, southeast London. He left an estate valued at £3000.

An obituary appeared in the Illustrated London News (16 May 1874). 'Mark John Currie, Vice-Admiral on the reserved list, died at his residence, Collington House, Anerley, on the 1st [sic] inst. He was born on June 21, 1795, the second son of Mark Currie, Esq., of Upper Gatton, Surrey, by Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of John Close, Esq., of Easby, in the county of York, and grandson of William Currie, Esq., banker of London, by Madeleine, his wife, daughter of Isaac Le Fevre, Esq. The Admiral's next younger brother is the present Sir Frederick Currie, Bart. Admiral Currie entered the Royal Navy in 1808, and served on the Home, Mediterranean, and East Indian stations. He was placed Rear-Admiral on the reserved list in 1862, and Vice Admiral in 1867. He married, Jan. 14, 1829, Jane, daughter of Charles Boyton Wood, Esq., of Hayes, Middlesex, and had issue.'

[From an album that once belonged to the United Service Club.]