Dutch Naval Officer: Willem Joseph baron van Ghent tot Drakenburgh

Willem Joseph baron van Ghent was born in Vianen on 14 May 1626. He was killed in action on 7 June 1672. By 1648, he was a captain of infantry. In 1663, he was a major. In 1664, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. From 1665 to 1666, he was commandant of the Regiment de Marine (forerunner of the Korps Mariniers). He commanded in the Raid on Chatham in 1667. He was a member of the council of state of Utrecht in 1668. He was killed in the Battle of Solebay when a cannon ball hit him in the chest and abdomen. The Admiralty of Amsterdam appointed him lieutenant-admiral on 24 August 1666. This is from my translation of Luc Eekhout's entry in Het Admiralenboek.