Richard Sutton (British Army officer) facts for kids

Richard Sutton (born January 16, 1674 – died July 23, 1737) was an important figure in British history. He was a brave officer in the British Army and a politician who served in the British Parliament. He was mostly a member of the Whig political party, but sometimes he voted with the Tories.

Who Was Richard Sutton?

Richard Sutton was born in 1674 in Scofton, England. He was the second son of Robert Sutton and Katherine Sherborne. His older brother, also named Robert Sutton, became a well-known diplomat.

Richard Sutton's Military Career

Richard Sutton joined the army when he was young. He became an ensign (a junior officer) in 1690. He fought in important wars like the War of Spanish Succession.

Early Army Days

• He served in Ireland and Flanders under King William III.
• He became a major in the 8th Regiment of Foot.
• He fought in famous battles like the Battle of Schellenberg and the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.
• He also fought at the Battle of Ramillies in 1706.

Leading Troops

• As a lieutenant-colonel, he led his regiment at the battle of Oudenarde in 1708.
• In 1709, he became a colonel, leading his own new regiment.
• By 1710, he was a brigadier-general.
• He commanded a group of soldiers in Flanders in 1711, helping to capture the town of Bouchain.
• In 1712, he became the colonel of the 19th Regiment of Foot and was named Governor of Hull.
• He was also a commander in Bruges from 1713 to 1714.
• He later became a major-general but retired from active service in 1715.

Return to Service

• Richard Sutton returned to the army in 1729, again leading the 19th Regiment.
• In 1735, he was promoted to lieutenant-general.

Richard Sutton's Political Life

Besides his military career, Richard Sutton was also a Member of Parliament (MP). He represented the town of Newark for many years.

Serving in Parliament

• He was first elected as an MP for Newark in 1708.
• He supported important laws, like one that helped people from other countries become British citizens.
• He lost his seat in 1710 but won it back in 1712.
• He was part of a committee that looked into problems in the army, like how soldiers were paid and cared for.
• He was re-elected several times, serving in Parliament until 1737.

Other Important Roles

• From 1724 to 1726, he worked as a Clerk of the Green Cloth, which was a position in the royal household.
• He also worked as a diplomat, representing Britain in different countries like Hesse-Cassel, Brunswick Wolfenbüttel, and Denmark between 1727 and 1731.
• From 1733 to 1735, he was the Governor of Guernsey, an island in the English Channel.

Richard Sutton's Family Life

Richard Sutton married Catherine de Tolmer in Bruges before 1714. He bought an estate called Scofton. He passed away on July 23, 1737, and was buried in Averham. He had two sons and one daughter. His oldest son, Robert, took over his estate.