Francis Smalpage was born in Wakefield on 4 Nov 1788. His father was Captain Daniel Smalpage of the 3rd West Yorks Militia, his mother was Frances Smalpage. He trained as a cadet in the infantry in 1807 and arrived in India on 17 Sep 1808. He was a cornet in the 8th BLC on 1 Mar 1812 and served in the 3rd Maharatta War, present at Nagpore. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 Sep 1818 and went on furlough from Mar 1819 to Nov 1822 during which time he was married. He was appointed Brigade Major for service in Oudh from 10 May 1823 to 11 Aug 1829, promoted to captain, on 13 May 1825. He volunteered for active service with the 8th BLC at Bhurtpore. He was on furlough from Nov 1829 to Oct 1834 and, with the rank of brevet-major, appointed Commandant of the 3rd Local Horse on 29 June 1838. Major Smalpage was on his way to join them at Saugor when he drowned while attempting to cross the Balund Nadi, about 22 miles from Mirzapur. He was married to Esther Hunter on 15 Oct 1820 at Whitby in Yorkshire. Esther died on 6 June 1858. The portrait shows him in the undress jacket worn in the 1830s which was dark blue with orange facings, silver lace and gilt shoulder scales.
