John Byng

Admiral John Byng was a British Royal Navy officer who was court-martialled and executed by firing squad. After joining the navy at the age of thirteen, he participated at the Battle of Cape Passaro in 1718. Over the next thirty years he built up a reputation as a solid naval officer and received promotion to vice-admiral in 1747. He also served as Commodore-Governor of Newfoundland Colony in 1742, Commander-in-Chief, Leith, 1745 to 1746 and was a member of Parliament from 1751 until his death.

29 October 1704

Born on the same birth day (29 October): Akim Tamiroff • Andrei Ryabushkin • Antonio Luna • Ariel Lin • Baruj Benacerraf • Ben Proudfoot • Cal Crutchlow • Caterina Scarpellini • Danielle Hunter • David Paton • Michael Jayston • Mick Gallagher • Paul Orndorff • Richard Brancatisano • Sonny Osborne • Victor Hochepied • Winona Ryder

Born in the same month (October 1704): Johann Andreas Segner