Alexander Pope was born in Ipswich on 9 Sep 1787. He was posted to the 8th BNC on 1 Feb 1807 and took part in operations in Bundelkhand against marauders in 1810-11. He was promoted to lieutenant on 7 Dec 1812 and fought in the Nepal War of 1814-15. In the 3rd Maharatta War he fought bravely at Jubbulpore on 19 Dec 1817 and according to Brigadier Hardyman’s despatch ‘He charged steadily under a heavy fire from the heights, penetrated to the enemy’s guns, received a spear thrust into his body and continued the pursuit with vigour.’ Whilst recovering from his wound he was appointed Adjutant of Native Invalids and Paymaster of Native pensioners in Allahabad. On 18 Sep 1820 he was appointed Executive Officer in the Purnea Division in the Public Works Department. He took time out to go to New South Wales from 1822 to 1825 and was then promoted to captain on 13 May 1825, and transferred to the newly raised 2nd Extra Regiment of Cavalry (10th BLC) in Jan 1826, but too late to take part in the siege of Bhurtpore. In December 1829 he was acting Deputy Judge Advocate General and then on 8 Sep 1829 he was Commanding Officer of the 10th BLC.
He was promoted to Major on 12 April 1836 and Lieutenant-colonel on 4 Nov 1839. He did not fight in the 1st Afghan War due to sickness. In the Gwalior Campaign he commanded the 10th BLC at Maharajpur on 29 Dec 1843. He was appointed CB on 2 May 1844. On 24 July 1847 he transferred to the 6th BLC and in the Second Sikh War commanded the 2nd Cavalry Brigade. He attended the Passage of the Chenab and the infamous incident at Chillianwallah on 13 April 1849, where he was blamed for the disastrous actions of some of the cavalry regiments that retreated. In this battle he was mortally wounded by a sword wound in the head. He was taken to Simla to recover but died before he reached the place, at Kasauli, on 20 April 1849. He was married to Frances Cracraft at Benares on 2 Nov 1819. She lived to the age of 92 and died on 16 Nov 1889.
