His father, John, had taken part in the Netherlands Campaign of 1793–1795, where, as a prisoner of war, he spent two years on parole in the park of the Duke of Orleans' chateau at Vilvorde.
[13]: 198 Finally, in 1835, an Ordnance establishment was ordered to be formed at Sydney, New South Wales, with depots at Bathurst and Hobart, Van Diemen's Land.
Whilst sailing in sight of land up the coast of New South Wales on a dark and cloudy night of 10 December, Hive ran ashore on Bherwerre Beach near Cape St George.
Lugard took a lead in establishing the survivors' camp amongst dense scrub, constructing bowers for shelter, latrines and campfires, and having prisoners bring up the provisions.
[15][16] Following promotion to rank of lieutenant, as of 6 December 1835,[6]: 25 efforts in establishing the Ordnance Department, and Edward's departure for Calcutta by the East Indiaman Bencoolen in June 1836,[17] Lugard was sent on to Newcastle, in about September–October 1836, as architect and superintendent for the construction of the new military barracks devised upon the system adopted in England, the breakwater and other public works.
At Kingston Lugard cleared Lee Reef and built a landing pier at the harbour entrance, later noted by Lieutenant George Bordes, RE, as "Lieut.
Major Thomas Bunbury, 80th Regiment, succeeding Anderson as commandant in 1839, found Lugard to be good company enough to invite him to take up residence at Government House, now too vacant and commodious for one person.
The escapees surrendered after being fired on, returned to the island towing Lugard's boat and were tried and convicted by Commandant Bunbury within half an hour of arrival.
His determination in an emergency was again called on when, suitably well dressed, he attended St Patrick's Ball at the new Court House on the night of 17–18 March 1840, with Colonel George Barney and other officers.
In amongst the valiant efforts of all, including Barney, officers, soldiers and prisoners, Lugard's judgement in leveling several dwellings behind Belmore's residence probably saved Victoria Theatre and Nash's premises.
Lieutenant Governor Captain William Hobson, RN, had settled a treaty with New Zealand Rangatira in early February 1840, and upon advice had purchased Okiato, Bay of Islands, for the colony's new capital, Russell, in March–April.
He suffered a stroke on 1 March, and in the following deficiency of news in Sydney regarding his situation, the Governor, Sir George Gipps, sent Bunbury to take charge should Hobson be dead or incapable.
As Russell would be deserted, along with Bunbury's dread of his men living in dilapidated tents for another winter, the idea of building permanent barracks for the troops in Auckland rose to priority.
Within the few hours for decisions, a site was chosen for a fort on an elevated tongue of land, the disused Maori headland pā of Te Rerenga Ora Iti with its ready-made broad deep ditch and parapet—Point Britomart.
[34] On the eastern town side of the centreline and barrack square, was the wooden officers' mess house with kitchen, pantry, cellar, and outdoor deck and stairs connecting them.
On the southern Princes Street side of the square, two octagonal stone loop-holed guard-houses containing an internal fireplace and bench bed were to flank the entrance, but only one was built.
[35] Lugard departed for Sydney on 15 March 1842, leaving his replacement, Lieutenant George Augustus Bennett, RE, to complete the rear section, deal with the financial issues and other works.
[6]: 25 When the war with Russia ended in 1856, the need for such a camp ceased, however, its ability to accommodate and train a large numbers infantry, together with cavalry and artillery, on the 5000 acre drill ground of Curragh, ensured its continuation.
[1]: 7 Lugard also prepared a detailed narrative of the project, containing plans of the camp and for each building, but as his services were called to the China Expedition of 1857 before its completion, the work was carried through to publishing by Captain George Archibald Leach, RE, in 1858.
[44]: 40, 49–50 The Times correspondent, George Wingrove Cooke, observed that in Hong Kong then: "our available land force for carrying on war with the Chinese empire consists of two generals, a very large body of officers, and about 1,000 men.
His kindheartedness and other excellent qualities endeared him to all who knew him; and by the tact, judgement, and gentlemanly spirit and manner in which his duties were invariably conducted, he excited the zeal, stimulated the willing energies, and drew out the abilities of those who had the pleasure of serving under him.