Thomas Western (1761–1814) was a Royal Navy officer serving through periods of conflict with both the Dutch and French fleets at the end of the 18th century.
In June 1799 she sailed to the Leeward Islands and in August 1799 took part in the large attack on the coastline of Surinam on the north coast of South America.
[3] Two weeks later, on 25 August, still of Surinam the Tamar was involved in an independent attack on the 28-gun French ship "Republicain".
He was awarded a few years of shore leave with his wife and young family (who almost certainly travelled with him from the West Indies to England).
In November 1807 this was part of the unusual squadron which escorted the Portuguese Royal family into exile in Brazil.
However, the British government did not permit him to accept this until the beginning of 1814, due to ongoing political difficulties between the countries.
It may therefore be said with certainty that he was conceived while his father was on active service during a period of brief shore leave, and his mother was only then 17.