John Irwin (British Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir John Irwin
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 1727/8 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | May 1788 Parma, Italy |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Seven Years' War |
| Awards | Knight of the Order of the Bath |
General Sir John Irwin (born 1727 or 1728, died 1788) was an important Irish soldier. He served in the British Army for many years. He was also a Member of Parliament and held other big jobs.
Contents
Sir John Irwin: A British Army General
Sir John Irwin was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1727 or 1728. He grew up and went to school in Ireland. He later became a very important person in the British Army.
Early Life and Military Start
In 1736, when he was still quite young, John Irwin joined the army. He became an officer in the 5th Regiment of Foot. This meant he was a leader in the army.
He took part in a military attack on the coast of France in 1758. Later, in 1760, he fought in Germany. He served under a famous leader called Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. These were important experiences during the Seven Years' War.
Important Roles and Public Service
Sir John Irwin was not just a soldier. He also worked in politics and government. From 1762 to 1783, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) for East Grinstead. This meant he helped make laws for the country.
He also served as the Governor of Gibraltar from 1765 to 1767. This was a very important job, as Gibraltar is a key military base. He was also a member of the Irish privy council. This group advised the king on important matters in Ireland.
From 1775 to 1782, he held a top military job in Ireland. He was the Commander-in-Chief, Ireland. This meant he was in charge of all the British forces there.
Later Years
In 1782, Sir John Irwin lost his job as Commander-in-Chief. This happened when the government changed. He then moved back to his home in Piccadilly, London. He also continued his work in Parliament.
He was promoted to the highest rank in the army, a full General. In 1783, he decided to retire from Parliament. After this, he faced some money problems. He moved to France and then to Parma, Italy.
In Parma, he was welcomed by the Duke and Duchess of Parma. He often hosted British people who were visiting or living in the city. Sir John Irwin lived in Parma until he passed away in May 1788.
His Family Life
Sir John Irwin was married three times during his life. His first wife was Elizabeth Henry, whom he married in 1749. In 1753, he married Anne Barry. His third wife was named Caroline, and they had two children together.
