Charles Rainsford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Rainsford
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| Born | 3 February 1728 West Ham, Essex |
| Died | 24 May 1809 (aged 81) 29 Soho Square, London |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Rank | General |
General Charles Rainsford (born 3 February 1728 – died 24 May 1809) was an important officer in the British Army. He had a long and interesting career, serving in many different roles and places. He was also involved in politics and various intellectual groups.
Contents
Military Career and Public Service
Early Life and First Steps in the Army
Charles Rainsford was the second son of Francis Rainsford, a local official. He received his early education from a family friend. His uncle, also named Charles Rainsford, helped him join the army. In March 1744, at age 16, Charles became a "second cornet" in General Bland's dragoons. A cornet was a junior officer who carried the unit's flag.
His unit was fighting in Flanders during the War of the Austrian Succession. Rainsford quickly joined them. He carried the standard (flag) at the Battle of Fontenoy. Soon after, he became an "ensign" in the Coldstream Guards. An ensign was another junior officer rank.
Serving in England and Abroad
With the Coldstream Guards, Rainsford returned to England. He helped deal with the Jacobite rising of 1745, a rebellion against the king. He rose to become a "major of brigade" and an "aide-de-camp" to a colonel. An aide-de-camp is an assistant to a senior officer.
Later, he worked as a private secretary for James O'Hara, who was the governor of Gibraltar. After returning to England in 1760, he was given command of a company of soldiers in Germany. He then rejoined Governor Tyrawley in Portugal in 1762. There, he helped prepare for a possible Spanish invasion.
Important Roles and Challenges
In 1763, Rainsford returned home. He was promoted to second major in the Grenadier Guards. He also became an "equerry" to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester. An equerry is an officer who attends to a member of the royal family.
In 1768, he commanded soldiers at a prison in Southwark after a riot. This showed his ability to handle difficult situations.
Political Life and Other Interests
Rainsford also served as a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the country's government. He was an MP for Maldon from 1772 to 1774. Later, he represented Bere Alston (1787–1788) and Newport, Cornwall (1790–1796). He didn't take a very active part in Parliament's daily debates.
While in Parliament, he held other important roles:
- Governor of Chester (1776–1796).
- King's aide-de-camp (1777–1782).
- Commander of troops in Hyde Park and Blackheath during the Gordon Riots in 1780. These riots were a series of anti-Catholic protests.
- Nominal commander of the Menorca garrison in 1782. However, the Spanish captured Menorca before he could arrive.
Rainsford was also very interested in learning and secret societies. He became a "fellow" of the Royal Society in 1779. This is a group of top scientists. He was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, which studies history and old things. He was interested in groups like the Rosicrucians and Freemasons, and he even researched alchemy. He explored ideas from different intellectual and spiritual groups in Europe.
Later Military Commands and Retirement
In 1794, Rainsford was sent to Gibraltar as the second-in-command to Robert Boyd. When Boyd died, Rainsford became the Governor of Gibraltar (1794–1795). This was during Britain's war with Revolutionary France. After returning to England, his last active military role was as governor of Cliff Fort in Tynemouth.
General Charles Rainsford passed away in London in 1809. He was buried in the chapel of St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London. His first wife, his father, and his uncle Charles were also buried there.
Family Life
Charles Rainsford was married twice:
- On 18 July 1775, he married Elizabeth Miles (1758–1781).
- On 16 February 1789, he married Ann Cornwallis (died 1 February 1798). This marriage did not have children.
He and Elizabeth had three children:
- Colonel William Henry Rainsford (born 1776, died 1823)
- Julia Anne
- Josephina, who sadly died when she was a baby.
Writings
Charles Rainsford kept many detailed notes and writings. He left nearly forty volumes of manuscripts. These are now kept at the British Library, where people can study them.
