Robert Heriot Barclay

Barclay was born in Scotland in 1785. He entered the Royal Navy at the age of 12. By the time of the War of 1812, he was a seasoned officer. He had served under Admiral Lord Nelson at Trafalgar in 1805. He was severely injured and lost an arm in an engagement in 1808.

Barclay received orders to come to Upper Canada from the Bermuda station in 1813. He first took command of the Provincial Marine vessels on Lake Ontario. After a few weeks, he was transferred to command of the Lake Erie squadron, when his superior, Sir James Yeo, decided to take the Lake Ontario squadron for himself. During the Battle of Lake Erie he stayed in command even after suffering a major wound to his thigh. He then received a second injury that led to his losing his other arm. The Americans captured the complete British squadron.

Barclay was court-martialed for his part in the Battle of Lake Erie. He was acquitted of all charges. But he had lost an entire squadron of boats, so he was not made a post-captain for another ten years. His fiancée married him despite his injuries, and they had eight children. Barclay died in 1837.

See more: Barclay's letter to Sir James Yeo, after the Battle of Lake Erie.