Obituaries Australia

The late Captain [Peter] Pegus—The funeral of this officer, late Governor of the Gaol at Oatlands, took place on Wednesday last, and was most numerously and respectably attended. The deceased officer, who, we regret to say, died in poverty and has left a wife and family without any means of support beyond what may be derived from public subscription, formerly belonged to the 88th Regiment. He was one of forty officers chosen by the late Duke of Wellington to perform Commissariat duties in Spain, and in the year 1812 or '13 was in charge at Rhenters, near Passages. His Grace the Commander-in-Chief being pressed for quarters was entertained with his staff by Lieut. Pegus, A.D.A.C.G. In December 1813 the gallant 88th arrived at St. Jean de Lutz, the light company being then commanded by Lieutenant Pegus. Having obtained his company Captain Pegus commuted his half-pay and emigrated to Swan River, at which colony he was ruined. On arrival in Van Diemen's Land he superintended several road parties, and ultimately was appointed to be Governor of the Gaol at Oatlands, which he held for many years with advantage to the public and credit to himself. "I believe," says the authority from whence we derive our information, "Captain Pegus arrived too late with his regiment to take part in the battle of Waterloo, but that he remained some time in France with the Army. He had also served in the Mediterranean." We believe that a subscription is getting up for the purpose of raising a fund to aid in the support of the bereaved widow, (who is the daughter of a gallant Lieutenant in the navy, lately deceased). We trust that this appeal on behalf of the family of an old Peninsular soldier will find a ready response from the purses of those who, like him, have fearlessly marched on an enemy's front. We believe that Captain Pegus's commission as an ensign will bear date almost as far back as any surviving officer of the Army.