Colonel James Barclay
From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia
Fictional character.
In the Sherlock Holmes stories
- Colonel James Barclay was the commanding officer of the Royal Mallows regiment (formerly the 117th Foot) (CROO 63).
- He began as a private soldier, rose to sergeant during the Indian Mutiny, and earned a commission for bravery (CROO 70).
- He married Nancy Devoy (daughter of Colour-Sergeant Devoy) while still a sergeant (CROO 71).
- Seen as a gallant, jovial officer, though prone to occasional bouts of gloom and superstition; deeply devoted to his wife (CROO 70).
- He had betrayed Henry Wood by sending him in an enemy trap, leading to Wood’s capture and disfigurement (CROO 334).
- After a fierce quarrel with his wife, he died of apoplexy, brought on by the shock of seeing Henry Wood alive so many years after (CROO 383).
