Sempronius Stretton

Sempronius Stretton
Sempronius Stretton's portrait by William Salter (a study for his painting of the Duke of Wellington's banquet)
Born	15 May 1781 Nottingham
Died	6 March 1842 Croydon
Nationality	British
Known for	Artist and Colonel
Spouse(s)	two
Children	none
Parent(s)	William and Susanna Stretton

Colonel Sempronius Stretton CB (1781–1842) was a British Army officer who served in numerous campaigns including the Battle of Waterloo. He is also known for his sketches that recorded early Canadian life.

Stretton was the eldest son of William Stretton, a builder and antiquarian. He was born in Nottingham on 15 May 1781, and baptised nine days later at St. Mary's Church, Nottingham He was given an unusual name beginning with "s" which was a common feature of all his siblings.

He entered the army at an early age, commencing his military career in the Nottinghamshire Militia, which he joined at Dumfries, in April 1800. In the following November, he entered the 6th Regiment of Foot at Chatham as an ensign.

In April 1801, he was promoted to a lieutenancy in the 49th Regiment, and shortly afterwards sailed for Quebec. Whilst he was in Canada he used his artistic skills to sketch not only landscapes but also made a valuable record of the wildlife and the local dress. Stretton's 1804 sketch of "York Barracks, Lake Ontario, Upper Canada, 1804" is credited as being one of the earliest pictures of what was to become the city of Toronto. Lieutenant Stretton served under Colonel Isaac Brock, who selected him to act as his aide-de-camp.

Later he was promoted to a company in the 40th Regiment. He returned to England and undertook duties in the recruiting service. Stretton ability as a draughtsman was acknowledged by his father and many of his sketches were included in his father's records.

In 1812, Captain Stretton sailed for Lisbon, where he met his brother, then an ensign in the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) and the two brothers proceeded to join the army under Lord Wellington. Captain Stretton’s first engagement with the enemy was at the Battle of Vittoria, 21 June 1813. This battle ended the rule of Bonaparte's eldest brother and Stretton returned from the battle with Joseph Bonaparte's Forrage Cap Top which was kept in the regimental museum.