Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Honourable
Sir Frederick Ponsonby
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Major-General Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby by Thomas Heaphy
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| Birth name | Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby |
| Born | 6 July 1783 Marylebone, London, England |
| Died | 11 January 1837 (aged 53) Basingstoke, Hampshire, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Battles/wars | Peninsular War Napoleonic Wars |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby was a brave and important Anglo-Irish soldier. He became a Major General in the British Army. He was born on July 6, 1783, and passed away on January 11, 1837. He fought in some of the most famous wars of his time, including the Peninsular War and the Napoleonic Wars.
Contents
Frederick Ponsonby's Early Life
Frederick Ponsonby was born in London, England. He was the second of three sons. His father was Frederick Ponsonby, who later became the 3rd Earl of Bessborough. His mother was Henrietta Ponsonby.
Frederick had two brothers, John and William. He also had a sister named Lady Caroline Lamb. She was well-known and married Viscount Melbourne, who later became a Prime Minister. Frederick went to school at Harrow, a famous school in England.
Starting a Military Career
Frederick Ponsonby began his army career in January 1800. He joined the 10th Light Dragoons as a cornet, which was a junior officer rank. He quickly moved up the ranks.
- In June 1800, he became a lieutenant.
- By August 1803, he was a Captain.
In April 1806, he moved to the 60th Regiment of Foot. He also worked for important leaders in Ireland. He became a major in June 1807. In August 1809, he joined the 23rd Light Dragoons. With this group, he went to fight in the Peninsular War in Spain and Portugal.
Fighting in the Peninsular War
Frederick Ponsonby showed great courage in many battles.
- He fought well at the Battle of Talavera.
- In March 1810, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
- He helped direct a successful charge by cavalry at the Battle of Buçaco and Battle of Barrosa.
- In June 1811, he was given command of the 12th Light Dragoons.
After the fall of Badajoz, he was praised for his actions at the battle of Villagarcia in April 1812. He was told to hold back a larger French cavalry force. He managed to delay them until more British soldiers arrived. This allowed the British to surround the French.
Frederick Ponsonby also led his soldiers to break up French infantry after the Battle of Salamanca. He was hurt while covering a retreat from Burgos. At the Battle of Vitoria, his regiment helped block the French army's escape. He also fought in the Battle of the Pyrenees and other battles in southern France.
After Napoleon gave up his power in Paris, Ponsonby rode all night to tell Wellington the news. Wellington was very happy to hear it!
The Battle of Waterloo
Frederick Ponsonby and his 12th Light Dragoons fought in the famous Waterloo Campaign. At the Battle of Waterloo, his regiment was told to charge down a hill to support other British cavalry. However, like many other soldiers that day, they charged too far into the French lines.
Ponsonby's Injuries and Survival
During the battle, Ponsonby was badly wounded.
- He was hit in both arms.
- He was knocked off his horse by a sword cut.
- A French soldier stabbed him in the back with a lance.
- Another French soldier robbed him while he lay on the ground.
Luckily, a French officer, Major de Laussat, found him and was kind. He gave Ponsonby some brandy and promised to send help. Later, another French soldier used Ponsonby as a shield. Towards the end of the battle, Prussian cavalry rode over him.
After the battle, during the night, he was bothered by a Prussian soldier looking for valuables. A dying British soldier also crawled onto his legs. Finally, a British soldier from the 40th Foot found him and guarded him for hours. Ponsonby was then taken to Brussels. Even though he had seven major wounds and was bled a lot by doctors, he managed to survive against all odds.
Later Career and Malta
After recovering, Frederick Ponsonby continued his military career.
- In January 1824, he became an "inspecting field officer" in the Ionian Islands.
- In May 1825, he was promoted to major-general. He commanded the troops in the Ionian Islands.
- In December 1826, he was made Governor of Malta. He stayed in this important role for over eight years.
While in Malta, he met Major de Laussat again in 1827. This was the French officer who had helped him at Waterloo! During his time as Governor, he received several important awards, including the GCMG in 1828 and the KCB and KCH in 1831.
He left his role as Governor in May 1835. He continued to be interested in how cavalry soldiers were used. He even wrote letters to Wellington about it. Frederick Ponsonby died suddenly on January 11, 1837, at an inn near Basingstoke. He was buried in a church crypt in Gloucestershire.
In 1838, a tall monument called Ponsonby's Column was built in Valletta, Malta, to honor him. Sadly, it was destroyed by lightning in 1864. Only the base of the column remains today.
Family Life
On March 16, 1825, Frederick Ponsonby married Lady Emily Charlotte Bathurst. She was the youngest daughter of Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst. They had six children together: three sons and three daughters.
- Sir Henry Frederick Ponsonby (1825–1895): He married Mary Elizabeth Bulteel.
- Alberta Victoria Ponsonby (1862–1945)
- Magdalen Ponsonby (1864–1934)
- John Ponsonby (1866–1952)
- Frederick Edward Grey Ponsonby (1867–1935)
- Arthur Augustus William Harry Ponsonby (1871–1946)
- Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Edward Valette (1827–1868): He married Catina Dahl.
- Georgina Melita Maria Ponsonby (1829–1895): She never married.
- Harriet Julia Frances Ponsonby (1830–1906)
- Selina Barbara Wilhelmina Ponsonby (1835–1919): She married William Windham Baring.
- Frederick John Ponsonby (1837–1894): He became a priest and never married.
Images for kids
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Plinth of Ponsonby's Column, a monumental column erected in Valletta in 1838. The column was destroyed by lightning in 1864, and only the plinth survives today.
