James McQueen was born in Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland on 24 June 1773. He served in the Caithness Highlander (militia) from June 1795 until July 1800. He transferred to the 79th Foot Regiment (Cameron Highlanders) on 7 July 1800 at the stated age of 27 years and 13 days, at which stage he was described as being 6 ft ¼ in tall, of long visage with fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. His trade was described as "labourer". He was promoted corporal on 1 August 1803 and sergeant on 15 Nov 1805.

He obtained a special marriage licence on 31 March 1809 and was married at Weeley, near Colchester, to Ann(e) Maria Smith of the parish of St Botolph Colchester on 3 April 1809. Witnesses were an Archibald Sinclair and a (Hugh ?) Cameron. Hugh Cameron was a witness for the special licence and a sergeant Hugh Cameron served in the 79th foot (and was also killed at Waterloo).

A son, Alexander McQueen, was born on 11 March 1812 at Coimbra, Portugal (but not baptised until 14 April 1816). A second son, named James McQueen after his father, was born on 9 July 1815, two weeks after his father's death and baptised on 30 July 1815. Both were baptised in St Giles, Colchester, with the father James' occupation being described as Sergeant in the 79th Foot.  James II place of birth is described as "Not Known - Born at Sea" (1851 Census).

James McQueen senior was killed at Waterloo on Sunday 18 June 1815. He was promoted Colour Sergeant shortly before his death and as such was paid £0-1-10d per day (payment of which stopped on his death).

The family still own his powder-horn, engraved with his name and rank and the regimental coat-of-arms

Possible parents to James I

We have not been able to determine the parents of the senior James McQueen. Girvan Baptismal register (and surrounding parishes) shows no James McQueen baptised around June/July 1773. However three James McQueen were baptised in early 1775:

1. James: Bapt. 22 Jan - parents James McQueen and Anne McNabnie. (Weaver)
2. James: Bapt. 18 Feb - parents David McQueen and Agnes McMichael. (Weaver)
3. James: Bapt. 20 Mar - parents Andrew McQueen and Ann Shaw. (Farm worker)

(A possibly related James McQueen, with an elder brother Alexander, was baptised in Girvan on 20 Sep 1880 to parents James McQueen and Frances (Fanny) Wilson)

Sources of information

• Family papers
• Girvan parish baptismal register
• 79th Foot Description Book 1810 - 1816 (Public Records Office)
• 79th Foot Muster Rolls (Public Records Office)
• 79th Foot Pay-list May 1815 (Public Records Office)
• County Records, Chelmsford (for special marriage licence)
• Weeley parish records
• St Giles Colchester baptismal records (Alexander)
• St Giles Colchester baptismal records (James II)