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Descendants of HMS Beagle crew gather in Shrewsbury to honour Benjamin Bynoe

Descendants of crew members from the historic HMS Beagle gathered in Shrewsbury for a special event celebrating the life and legacy of naval surgeon Benjamin Bynoe.

By contributor Bibbs Cameron
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The talk, organised by Bibbs Cameron at Shrewsbury Historica, for The Darwin Festival, highlighted Bynoe’s significant but often overlooked role aboard the Beagle during its second voyage (1831–1836) — the expedition that also carried Shrewsbury-born naturalist Charles Darwin.

The evening was made particularly poignant by the presence of living descendants of several Beagle crew members, creating a powerful link between past and present.

From left to right, 1.Jack Lee. my great great grandfather was John Johns, who was the main top man on the boat, on the HMS Beagle. 2.David Billet, and a great, great, great uncle, Thomas Wilton Billet, was the gun room boy, i.e. the officers' servant, on the HMS Beagle. 3.Ian Bynoe, My fourth cousin, four times removed, with Benjamin Bynoe, who was the surgeon. 4. 
I'm Francis Hodson. I was born, Francis Bynoe. I am Ian's twin sister, so I have the same relationship. 
 5.Fiona Koomba. My mother was a Wendy Bynoe. And I have yet to determine the exact, cousin connection that we actually have, but we share the same,forefathers.
L to R: Jack Lee. my great great grandfather was John Johns, who was the main top man on the boat, on the HMS Beagle. David Billet, and a great, great, great uncle, Thomas Wilton Billet, was the gun room boy, i.e. the officers' servant, on the HMS Beagle. Ian Bynoe, My fourth cousin, four times removed, with Benjamin Bynoe, who was the surgeon. 
I'm Francis Hodson. I was born, Francis Bynoe. I am Ian's twin sister, so I have the same relationship. 
Fiona Koomba. My mother was a Wendy Bynoe. And I have yet to determine the exact, cousin connection that we actually have, but we share the same, forefathers.

 Family connections shared

The very informative talk was delivered by Ian Bynoe, who outlined his personal connection to the ship’s surgeon. Benjamin Bynoe is Ian’s fourth cousin, four times removed. His twin sister, Francis Hodson (born Francis Bynoe), also attended and shares the same ancestral relationship.

Jack Lee was present in honour of his great-great-grandfather, John Johns, who served as the ship’s main topman — a highly skilled and physically demanding role responsible for working in the rigging and managing sails.

David Billet attended as a descendant of Thomas Wilton Billet, his great-great-great uncle, who served as the gun room boy (officers’ servant) aboard the Beagle.

Fiona Koomba also shared her family link. Her mother, Wendy Bynoe, passed down the family name, and Fiona is currently researching the precise cousin connection to the Bynoe lineage.

Ian Bynoe giving a presentation on his distant relative Benjamin Bynoe
Ian Bynoe giving a presentation on his distant relative Benjamin Bynoe

Recognising a broader story

While Shrewsbury is globally associated with Darwin, the event part of The Darwin Festival, emphasised that the success of the Beagle’s voyage depended on the collective work of its full crew — including surgeons, sailors and junior officers.

Benjamin Bynoe played a vital role in maintaining the health of those aboard and contributed to the scientific work undertaken during the expedition. Ian Bynoe gave a talk that explained his contribution, and that of his fellow crew members, is properly recognised within Shropshire’s rich historical narrative.

Bibbs Cameron for Shrewsbury Historica said: “Bringing together descendants of the HMS Beagle’s crew in Shrewsbury was a moving reminder that history is personal. These were real individuals whose connection to crew members who helped shape one of the most significant scientific voyages in history.”

The gathering concluded with discussion and shared family research, reinforcing the continuing legacy of the HMS Beagle nearly two centuries after its voyage.