Owen Wynne (British Army officer) facts for kids
Lieutenant-General Owen Wynne (1665–1737) was an important Irish general and leader in the British Army. He was also a member of the Parliament of Ireland, which was like the government's law-making body at the time.
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Who Was Owen Wynne?
Owen Wynne was born in 1665. He was the third son of Owen Wynne, whose family moved from Wales to Ireland around 1688. Owen Wynne became a soldier and played a big part in Irish and British history.
Early Military Career
In 1688, Owen Wynne was serving in the army of King James II. However, because he was a Protestant, he decided to support the Prince of Orange (who later became King William III). This happened during a big event called the Glorious Revolution.
- He joined Major-General Kirke's forces. These forces were sent from England to help the city of Londonderry during a siege.
- He also helped defend Enniskillen.
- He fought throughout the Williamite War in Ireland, which was a major conflict in Ireland.
Rising Through the Ranks
Owen Wynne quickly moved up in the army.
- On November 1, 1694, he became a major in his brother James Wynne's Dragoons regiment.
- He fought with his regiment in the Flanders campaign from 1694 to 1697.
- In July 1695, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. He took over from Charles Ross, who became a colonel after James Wynne passed away.
- Owen Wynne served under the famous general, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.
- He became a colonel in 1703.
- In 1705, he started and commanded his own regiment of foot soldiers.
- By 1706, he was a brigadier-general.
- In 1709, he reached the rank of major-general.
Leading Regiments and High Command
Owen Wynne continued to gain important roles in the army.
- In 1715, as a major-general, he raised and commanded a new regiment. This regiment later became known as the 9th Lancers.
- He moved from leading Owen Wynne's Dragoons to becoming the colonel of the 5th Horse regiment. This regiment later became the 4th Dragoon Guards.
- In 1726, he was promoted to lieutenant-general.
- A big honor came in 1728 when Owen Wynne was named Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Irish Army. This meant he was the top military leader in Ireland.
- In August 1732, he moved back to be the colonel of his old regiment, the Royal Irish Dragoons. He kept this important position until he died in 1737.
Political Life
Besides his military career, Owen Wynne was also involved in politics.
- He represented Ballyshannon in the Parliament of Ireland from 1715 to 1727.
- From 1727 until his death in 1737, he was a member of Parliament for County Sligo.
- He was also a Privy Councillor. This was a group of trusted advisors to the King.
- In 1736, he was the Governor of Londonderry.
- It is said that he was offered a peerage (a title like a Lord) several times, but he always turned it down.
