Michael Symes (diplomat)

[1] He was the fifth son of Richard Symes of Ballyarthur, and Eleanor Cliffe of Ross, County Wexford, and was educated at Trinity College Dublin.

He served as aide-de-camp to Sir Thomas Musgrave, 7th Baronet at Madras in 1791, became captain in 1793, and lieutenant-colonel in 1800.

On this occasion it was to protest against the demand made by the Burmese governor of Arakan for the surrender of fugitives, who had sought refuge in the British district of Chittagong.

The occurrence of the 1807 general election in short succession cancelled this second arrangement, with Sir William à Court, 1st Baronet.

He served during Sir John Moore's retreat to Coruña, suffered from the hardships of the campaign, and died on the way home, on board the transport Mary, on 22 January 1809.

[3] When on leave in England Symes married, on 18 February 1801, Jemima, daughter of Paul Pilcher of Rochester.

His widow married Sir Joseph de Courcy Laffan, 1st Baronet, and died on 18 August 1835, aged 64.