Charles Colville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Charles Colville
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Sir Charles Colville
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| Born | 7 August 1770 |
| Died | 27 March 1843 (aged 72) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Bombay Army |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order |
General Sir Charles Colville (born August 7, 1770 – died March 27, 1843) was an important British Army officer. He served during the Napoleonic Wars, a big conflict in Europe. He started as a very young soldier in 1781. He fought in the West Indies from 1791 to 1797. While there, he became a lieutenant-colonel in 1796.
He helped stop the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He was in Egypt in 1801 and fought at Martinique in 1809. From 1810 to 1814, he led brigades and divisions in the Peninsular War. During the Waterloo Campaign in 1815, he commanded a division in Belgium. That same year, he received a special honour, becoming a K.C.B.. In 1819, he became a lieutenant-general. He was the commander-in-chief of the Bombay Army from 1819 to 1825. Later, he was governor of Mauritius from 1828 to 1834. He was promoted to general in 1837.
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Sir Charles Colville's Life and Military Career
Charles Colville was born on August 7, 1770. He was the third son of John Colville, who was the 8th Lord Colville of Culross. In 1818, Charles Colville married Jane Mure. They had two sons, Charles John and William James, and two daughters, Catherine Dorothea and Georgina Clementina. His eldest son, Charles John, later inherited his father's titles.
Joining the Army and Early Service
Colville joined the army as an ensign in the 28th regiment on December 26, 1781. However, he didn't start active duty until 1787. That year, he became a lieutenant. In May 1791, he was promoted to captain in the 13th Somersetshire Light Infantry. He stayed with this regiment for 19 years.
He joined his regiment in the West Indies in December 1791. He served there until 1797, gaining a lot of experience. He was promoted to major in 1795 and lieutenant-colonel in 1796.
Fighting in Ireland and Egypt
Colville led the 13th regiment during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He also took part in expeditions to Ferrol and Egypt. In Egypt, his regiment was part of Major-General John Cradock's brigade. They fought bravely in battles like Abukir, Mandora, and Canope. They also helped surround the French army at Alexandria.
After Egypt, Colville took his regiment to Gibraltar. He stayed there until 1805, when he became a colonel. He then went to Bermuda in 1808. In 1809, he was made a brigadier-general. He commanded a brigade in the capture of Martinique.
The Peninsular War Hero
On July 25, 1810, Colville was promoted to major-general. He quickly asked for a command in the Iberian Peninsula. In October 1810, he took command of the 1st brigade of the 3rd Division. This division was led by Thomas Picton. Colville soon became a trusted officer for Picton and one of Wellington's favorite brigadiers.
He led his brigade in the chase after Massena. He also fought in the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro. He helped supervise the digging of trenches during the second siege of Badajoz. He commanded the infantry at the battle of El Bodón on September 25, 1811. He also led the 4th division during the successful siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.
Colville helped supervise the trenches during the third and final siege of Badajoz. He commanded the 4th division during the attack on the Trinidad bastion. During this attack, he was shot in the left thigh and lost a finger on his right hand.
Colville had to return to England to recover from his injuries. Because of this, he missed the battle of Salamanca. However, he returned to the Peninsula in October 1812. He commanded the 3rd division during the winter. He fought with his brigade at the Battle of Vitoria, where he was slightly wounded. From August to November 1813, Lord Wellington gave him temporary command of the 6th division. He then returned to the 3rd division. He commanded it at the battles of the Nivelle and the Nive.
In February 1814, Lord Wellington gave him permanent command of the 5th division. With this division, he served under Sir John Hope during the siege of Bayonne. Colville was the one who oversaw the final departure of the last British troops from France.
Waterloo and Later Honours
Colville's brave service was well-rewarded. He received a special medal with a clasp. He was made a K.C.B. in January 1815 and a G.C.B. in March 1815. In April 1815, he became the colonel of the 94th regiment.
When Napoleon returned from Elba, a British Army was sent to the continent. Wellington specifically asked for Colville to be made a local lieutenant-general in the Netherlands. He took command of the 4th Division there. Colville's division was positioned on the far right of the British line at Halle during the Battle of Waterloo. To make up for not being more involved in the main battle, Wellington gave him the task of attacking Cambrai. This was a French fortress that had not surrendered. Colville succeeded, losing only 30 men killed or wounded.
After Active Service
Colville did not see active service again after Waterloo. He was promoted to lieutenant-general in 1819. He served as commander-in-chief of the Bombay Army in India from 1819 to 1825.
From 1828 to 1833, Colville was the 3rd Governor of Mauritius. This island had a large population, and there were challenges in governing. In 1830, he reported that there was "a great deal of bad feeling against His Majesty’s Government." He also noted that people were not paying taxes. He was briefly Colonel of the 14th Regiment. Then, in March 1835, he was appointed colonel of the 5th Regiment of Foot.
Colville was promoted to general on January 10, 1837. He passed away on March 27, 1843, at Rosslyn House in Hampstead.
Legacy
There is a beautiful decorative bush, part of the legume family, named Colvillea racemosa in his honour. The entire group of these plants is called Colvillea.
