Born in Dublin on the 30th of April 1813.
Recommended for a commission by the Earls of Donegal and Belfast.
Cornet in the 4th Dragoon Guards: 27th of September 1833.
Lieutenant, 4th Dragoon Guards: 19th of December 1834.
Lieutenant in the 13th Light Dragoons: 15th of May 1835.
Lieutenant in the 15th Light Dragoons: 7th of January 1839.
Captain, 15th Light Dragoons: 15th of March 1853.
On to half-pay, "on the Reduction of the Regiment", on the 31st of August 1854.
Captain in the 17th Lancers: 15th of December 1854.
"[To] Officer Commanding Cavalry Depot, Brighton.
Horse Guards, 15th May 1855.
Sir, — With reference to my letter of the 11th inst, I have the honour by direction of the General Commanding in-Chief to acquaint you that Captain Macartney of the 17th Lancers should accompany the draft of that regiment about to embark on the ship "Cormorant".
I am, &c. &c.,
W. A. Forster, AAG."
The letter from the Horse Guards of the 11th referred to above stated:
"I have the honour... to advise that you will cause the detachment specified to be held ready for embarkation on the ship named."
One Officer, one Sergeant, fifty three Rank and File and seventy one horses, from the 17th Lancers, embarked.
1861 Census
Barracks, Sandling Road, Maidstone.
John Macartney, 47, unmarried, Captain Army, born Ireland
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 16th of April 1861.
Paymaster in the 18th Hussars: 16th of May 1862.
Honorary Captain, 18th Hussars: 16th of May 1867.
Paymaster in the 14th Hussars. 7th of November 1868.
Paymaster in the 4th Dragoon Guards. 1st of October 1874.
Honorary Major, 4th Dragoon Guards: 16th of May 1877.
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel and on to half-pay: 1st of June 1882.
Captain Macartney was present with a squadron of the 13th Light Dragoons at Kurnooland and in the action of Zorapore on the 18th of October 1839.
He later served with the 17th Lancers in the Eastern campaign from the 19th of June 1855 and during the latter part of the Siege and fall of Sebastopol as Captain commanding the escorts to Generals Simpson and Codrington when Lieutenant-Generals in command. (Medal and Clasp.)
Served also in India during the Mutiny with the 17th Lancers, but would seem to have remained at Bombay as a Member of the Remount Committee. No trace of him can be found on the medal roll of the regiment,
The muster rolls for the period July-September 1858 show him as being "At Bombay" during July-August, but "On Field Service" from September.
Extract from the Naval and Military Gazette, 13th of October 1860:
"On Monday morning shortly before twelve o'clock an accident happened to Captain Macartney of the 17th Lancers; the Depot of which is stationed at the Maidstone Garrison.
Having been out for a ride, he was returning over the bridge when his horse — a high-spirited one — shied at some gypsy donkeys carrying materials for tents, etc., and ran back towards the King's Head.
Captain Macartney would probably regained control of the animal, but it suddenly slipped, and came down with great force on its side. Assistance was speedily rendered and Captain Macartney carried into the King's Head, where a surgeon was quickly in attendance, and advised the Captain's removal to the Garrison.
It was there found that he had sustained a fracture of the small bone of the right leg, which was also much bruised and lacerated at the knee. The right foot and ankle were also much hurt, but although pitched forward, Captain Macartney had escaped injury to the head, beyond some slight cuts on the forehead. It is not anticipated that more serious consequences will result from the accident."
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish medal.
1881 Census
4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, Aldershot
John Macartney, unmarried, 66, Paymaster, born Ireland
1891 Census
4, Preston Street, Brighton
John Macartney, boarder, single, 78, retired Lieu Colonel — Army, born Ireland
Died at 4, Preston Street, Brighton, on the 20th of December 1891, aged 79 years.
Death registered
John Macartney, 79, December Quarter 1891, Brighton.
He had previously lived at "Belle Vue", Newton Abbot, Devonshire.
Extract from the Brighton Gazette, 31st of December 1891:
"The remains of the late John Macartney, Lieutenant-Colonel and Paymaster of the 4th Dragoon Guards, were interred in the Parochial Cemetery at Brighton the other day. [Then follows a list of mourners and wreath-senders, mostly military, who attended.] The Revd. R.J. Burden, the Curate of St. Peter's, performed the last rites of the church."
He was buried on the 23rd of December in Grave No. EM21 in Lewes Road Cemetery, Brighton. The area has now [1983] been landscaped, but the memorial stone to him has been laid flat on the ground and is partly grassed over.
The stone commemorates both he and his brother, and reads:
"Edward A.C. Macartney, Lieutenant in the Sierra Leone Militia, who died 10th of May 1862 and also his brother, John Macartney, late Lieut. Colonel and Paymaster of the 4th Dragoon Guards, who entered into his rest, 20th of December 1891." "I am the resurrection and the Life."
Census information for a, 1881, and 1891, and registration of death, kindly provided by Chris Poole.