A case of mistaken identity that continues to be repeated

Many books and online sources say that Fitzjames already knew Franklin Expedition Mate Edward Couch from the First Opium War in China in 1842, and Battersby also said from the HMS Excellent in 1838. According to Battersby, Lieutenant Edward Couch was in command of the HMS Blonde in 1842. This was actually a different Edward who had the last name of Crouch. One doesn’t go from being a Lieutenant in 1842 to being a Mate in 1845. It is very much possible that Fitzjames had never heard of young Edward Couch before 1845. So let’s set the record straight about this mix-up of Edward CROUCH (born 1816) and Edward COUCH (born 1823):

Edward COUCH

– Born in 1823, baptised 27 August 1823 in Camberwell, London
– Son of Captain James Couch (entered Navy 1789, retired 1846), his mother’s name is Mary.
– I haven’t been able to view his full service record. It is possible that he served in China in 1842, but that must have been as Midshipman or Mate, certainly not Lieutenant.
– Signs up as Mate on the Erebus in 1845.
– Edward passed his Lieutenant’s exam shortly before Erebus sailed. He was eventually promoted to Lieutenant on 24 May 1847.

This is an interesting account of a lawsuit that took place to determine if it was Edward or his father James who had died first, to settle the inheritance of both men. Unfortunately, the author uses Battersby as her source for Couch’s service record.

Another Edward Couch:
There is also an Edward Couch who was promoted to Lieutenant on 14 May 1845.

So Battersby having seen Edward Couch’s name on the HMS Excellent‘s muster roll in 1838… could well have been another Edward Couch since there were apparently quite a few different Edward Couch-es.

---

Edward CROUCH

This is the one and only Edward Crouch who served on the HMS Blonde during the First Opium War 1842.
Sources here and here.

– Born 3 December 1816, died 1847
– Son of Commander E.T. Crouch, R.N.
– Enters Navy in 1830
– HMS Excellent in 1836
– Lieutenant on HMS Blonde during the First Opium War, China 1842

Written by Vice-Admiral William Parker in The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle (1843)

[There is a portrait of Edward Crouch that was auctioned at Bonhams in 2013. Alas there is no picture of the portrait. If the present owner of this portrait should read this, I would love to show the portrait of Edward Crouch here for the sake of completeness.]

---

Fitzjames about Edward Couch

In Fitzjames’ letter to Elizabeth Coningham from 10 June 1845, where he describes his Erebus mess mates, he begins by describing Couch and after him Stanley and Des Vœux, who he both says he knew from their time together in China. Why only say that he knew Stanley and Des Vœux if he also already knew Edward Couch? He would certainly have mentioned ‘Edward Couch with whom I was in the Excellent and China’, if that had been the case.
The following is quoted from the published, edited letter in The Nautical Magazine (1852):

“Crouch [sic] is a little, black – haired, smooth – faced fellow good humoured in his own way; writes, reads, works, draws, all quietly. Is never in the way of anybody, and always ready when wanted ; but I can find no remarkable point in his character, except, perhaps, that he is, I should think, obstinate. Stanley, the surgeon, I knew in China. He was in the Cornwallis a short time, where he worked very hard in his vocation. Is rather inclined to be good looking, but fat, with jet black hair, very white hands, which are always abominably clean, and the shirt sleeves tucked up ; giving one unpleasant ideas that he would not mind cutting one’s leg off immediately— if not sooner. He is thoroughly good natured and obliging and very attentive to our mess. Le Viscomte [sic] you know. He improves, if possible, on closer acquaintance. Fairholme, you know or have seen, is a smart, agreeable companion, and a well informed man. Sargent, a nice, pleasant – looking lad, very good natured. Des Vœux I knew in the Cornwallis. He went out in her to join the Endymion, and was then a mere boy. He is now a most unexceptionable, clever, agreeable, light – hearted, obliging young fellow, and a great favourite of Hodgson’s, which is much in his favour besides.”

In Fitzjames’ original letter he does write the names of Couch and Le Vesconte correctly, the misspellings are by the editor (William Coningham?).

I think it is now clear that Edward Couch, Mate, born 1823, is not the one who served with Fitzjames on the Excellent in 1838, and in China in 1842, and that Fitzjames did not know him before 1845.

This was just me doing some quick research about Edward Couch. It would be lovely if more about him became known, especially his service record to clear matters up once and for all.

By Fabiënne Tetteroo
25 September 2021 [edited 29 July 2022]