 When colonel of the East Devon Militia his father, William Bastard, saved the arsenal of Plymouth from the French Fleet in August 1779 and, to recognise that, was gazetted a baronet on 4 September but he declined to assume the title.Through his mother, born Bridget Poulett, William was a member of the Poulett, Bertie, Herbert and other influential families.In 1801 when colonel of the same regiment John Pollexfen Bastard quelled a riot of workmen and prevented the destruction of the Plymouth docks and dockyards.