LYON, WILLIAM CHARLES (1825-87) was the only son of General Sir James Lyon, K.C.B., G.C.H., sometime governor of Barbados. Receiving his commission in the Coldstream Guards, he exchanged into the 92nd Highlanders in order to see active service, and was for 10 months in the Crimea. After returning to England, he had an accident which resulted in the loss of an arm, and he retired from the army to settle in New Zealand.

When the Maori war broke out Lyon was given command of a volunteer company, and was adjutant to Colonel Balneavis. In May 1863 he received his majority and command of a wing of the 3rd battalion Auckland militia. With a force of 150 Imperial and Colonial troops he repulsed an attack on the stockade at Wairoa, and then drove the Maori from their position. He was mentioned in despatches and thanked by Generals Cameron and Galloway. In Oct he was promoted lieut-colonel and given command of the 3rd Regiment Waikato militia. He commanded the expedition to Opotiki (1865), and then returned to the Waikato command. In 1869, during the absence of Whitmore on the East Coast, he took command of the Colonial Field Force assembling at Wanganui. He served throughout the campaign against Titokowaru as second in command, being present at Otautu (13 Mar) and Te Ngaere, and remaining in command at Patea until returning to his post in Waikato.

Lyon was appointed acting Under-secretary for Defence and Commissioner of Armed Constabulary during Colonel Moule's absence on leave, and in 1884 (during the Russian war scare) he was entrusted with the defence of Auckland and command of the district. Lyon was brusque and blunt in manner, but courteous and considerate and most popular with the rank and file. He died on 16 Nov 1887. He married (1865) Sophia, daughter of Edward Rawlinson, Blair Castle, county Cork.

Gudgeon (p); Gorton; Cowan ii (p); Auckland Star, 18 Nov 1887; N.Z. Herald, 27 Feb 1888.

Reference: Volume 1, page 273

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