Jacob Richards (artillery officer) facts for kids

Jacob Richards (born around 1660, died 1701) was an important Irish officer. He served in the English Army. He was known for his new ideas. These ideas helped improve British artillery. Artillery means big guns like cannons. Sometimes, people mix him up with his father. His father was also named Jacob Richards. Jacob had two younger brothers. Michael Richards and John Richards were also famous artillery officers.

Early Life and Family

Jacob Richards was born in Ireland. He grew up partly in County Wexford. His family had land there. This land was given to his grandfather. It happened during the Cromwellian era. Jacob had two brothers, Michael and John. Both of them also became army officers. His sister, Elizabeth, married a politician. The family was Protestant. However, his brother John later became Catholic.

Learning About Artillery

Jacob Richards joined the English army in the 1680s. He had been part of the Tangier Garrison. To learn more about artillery, he traveled. In 1685, he went to Vienna. There, he served with the Imperial forces. They were fighting in the Great Turkish War. He was a staff officer. He saw action at the Siege of Buda in 1686. A siege is when an army surrounds a city. They try to capture it.

After this, he came back to England. He was sent to Hull. His job was to protect the River Humber. This was against possible foreign attacks. In 1688, a big event happened. It was called the Glorious Revolution. Jacob was part of King James II's army. But he decided to support William of Orange instead.

Fighting in Ireland

In 1689, Jacob Richards went to Ireland. He joined an expedition. This group was trying to help Derry. Derry was being surrounded by an army. This army supported King James II. Jacob helped at the successful Siege of Carrickfergus. He was also at the Battle of the Boyne. This battle happened the next year.

He served under a famous general. This was Marlborough. They captured Cork together. In 1691, Jacob fought again. He was at the Battle of Aughrim. He also took part in the final Siege of Limerick. This siege ended the war in Ireland.

Battles in Flanders

In 1692, many Allied troops moved. They went from Ireland to Flanders. Flanders is a region in Europe. These troops joined forces. They were fighting against King Louis XIV of France. Jacob and his brother Michael were there. They served with the Allied artillery. They fought in the Battle of Steenkirk. This was a very tough battle. The next year, they fought again. This was at the Battle of Landen.

Later Career and Travels

In 1695, Jacob went on an expedition. It was a British raid on the French coast. They attacked St. Malo. After the war ended in 1697, he got a new job. He was named Third Engineer of Great Britain. The next year, he was promoted. He became a Colonel. The first peacetime artillery unit was formed. Jacob was put in charge of it.

However, he later left the English army. He went to serve in the army of Venice. Venice is a city in Italy. He served in Greece. After that, he joined another army. This was the army of the Elector of Saxony.