John Ayrton

Captain John Ayrton of the 12th Light Dragoons is a neighbour of Jonathan Strange in Shropshire: his lands adjoin those of Ashfair. The two men have been comrades-in-arms under the Duke of Wellington and known one another all their lives, and yet nevertheless they have not been well-acquainted; this is due to the captain's natural reserve of character. On hearing that Arabella Strange is missing however he comes very promptly to offer all the aid in his power[43].