John Byng (1704-57) English Naval Commander, promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1756 in the British Mediterranean fleet. After his failure to raise the French blockade and relieve Minorca, he was arrested, brought back to England where he was found guilty of neglect of duty. Condemned to death, he was shot and shot on board his ship HMS 'Monarque' at Portsmouth to encourage the others. From a contemporary engraving.