| He entered the Royal Navy in 1731. He was appointed as a Midshipman RN in 1740 serving in H.M.S. Wager. He was shipwrecked off the coast of Chile and he became known as "Foul-Weather Jack". He was appointed as a Lieutenant RN and then promoted to Captain RN on 30/12/1745. He served in H.M.S. Syren (In command) 1745. He served in H.M.S. St. Albans (In command). He served in H.M.S. Augusta (In command) 1753. He served in H.M.S. Vanguard (In command) 1755. He served in H.M.S. America (In command) 1757. He served in H.M.S. Fame (In command) 1760 to superintend the demolition of Louisbourg. He commanded a small squadron in 1760 which attacked a French force in the HMCS Restigouche River. Byron commanded a squadron in 1760 at Louisbourg, destroying the French fortifications there and in the Bay of HMCS Chaleur. He also led the last naval engagement in North America of the Seven Years War at the Battle of the HMCS Restigouche. He served in H.M.S. Dolphin (In command) 1764. In 1764, Byron made a voyage to the Pacific in the frigate Dolphin, on a voyage of HMCS Discovery and circumnavigated the globe, returning in 1766. He was appointed as a Commodore RN in 1764. He served in HMS Antelope while serving as Governor of Newfoundland in 1769. He was appointed as a Rear Admiral of the Red (RN). He was appointed as a Vice Admiral of the Blue (RN) (With seniority dated 29/01/1778). He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief North American Station 1778. He was appointed as a Vice Admiral of the White (RN) (With seniority dated 26/09/1780). While serving as Commander-in-Chief of North America he fought an indecisive battle off Grenada in 1781. |
