George Whichcote facts for kids
General George Whichcote (born in 1794 – died August 26, 1891) was an important officer in the British Army. He had a long and brave career, fighting in major wars like the Peninsular War and the famous Battle of Waterloo.
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Early Life and Joining the Army
George Whichcote was born in 1794. He was the fourth son of Sir Thomas Whichcote, who was the 5th Baronet of Aswarby Park in Lincolnshire. George went to Rugby School, which is a well-known school in England.
After school, he decided to join the army. In 1811, he became a volunteer in the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot. Soon after, he received a special rank called an ensign, which meant he was an officer.
Fighting in the Peninsular War
In the same year, 1811, George Whichcote sailed on a ship called HMS Pompee to join the British army in Spain and Portugal. This was during the Peninsular War, where Britain fought against Napoleon's French army.
His regiment, the 52nd, was part of a special group called the Light Division. This group also included the 43rd and 95th regiments. They were known for being fast and skilled.
Key Battles and Promotions
George Whichcote took part in many important battles:
- In April 1811, he fought in the Battle of Sabugal.
- In September 1811, he was at the Battle of El Bodón.
- In 1812, he helped in the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and the Battle of Badajoz. A siege is when an army surrounds a town or fort to try and capture it.
In July 1812, he was promoted to lieutenant. He continued to fight bravely:
- He was present at the Battle of Salamanca.
- He fought in the Vittoria, where his regiment, the 52nd, bravely captured a village called Magarita.
Later Campaigns in the Peninsular War
Whichcote and his regiment continued to be very active. They fought in many more battles and combats:
- In July and August, they were in the Pyrenees mountains.
- In October, they fought in the Battle of Vera.
- In November, they were at the Battle of Nivelle.
- In December, they fought in the Battle of the Nive.
- In February 1814, they were at the Battle of Orthes.
- In March, they fought near Tarbes.
Entering Toulouse
The final big battle of the Peninsular War was the Battle of Toulouse in April 1814. George Whichcote played a special role here. He was in charge of an advanced group of soldiers. He noticed that the French army was retreating. He quickly pushed forward and was the very first British soldier to enter the town of Toulouse!
After the war ended, his regiment was sent to guard duty in Castelsarrasin and then to Ireland.
The Battle of Waterloo
George Whichcote then took part in one of the most famous battles in history: the Battle of Waterloo. This battle, fought in 1815, was where Napoleon Bonaparte was finally defeated.
The 52nd Regiment, Whichcote's unit, played a crucial part in defeating Napoleon's best soldiers, the Imperial Guard. They helped complete the victory.
After Waterloo, the 52nd Regiment was ordered to go to Botany Bay (in Australia). However, Whichcote decided to switch to a different regiment, the Buffs.
Later Career and Retirement
George Whichcote continued to rise through the ranks in the army:
- In 1818, he was promoted to captain.
- In 1822, he moved to the 4th Dragoon Guards.
- He became a major in 1825.
- He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in 1838.
- He became a full colonel in 1851.
Later, he was placed on "half-pay," which meant he was still an officer but not actively serving. He was promoted to major-general. He became a lieutenant-general in 1864 and a full general on December 5, 1871.
Personal Life and Death
In 1842, George Whichcote married Charlotte Sophia. She was the daughter of Philip Monckton. They did not have any children.
General George Whichcote passed away on August 26, 1891, at Meriden, near Coventry. He had lived there since he retired from the army. He was buried in St Laurence's churchyard on August 31. At the time of his death, he was one of only two surviving officers from the British army who had fought at the Battle of Waterloo.
See also
- List of British Army full generals
