Scudamore Winde Steel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Scudamore Winde Steel
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Sir Scudamore Winde Steel in 1848
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| Born | 1789 |
| Died | 11 March 1865 Hyde Park, London |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
East India Company |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Battles/wars | Third Anglo-Maratha War First Anglo-Burmese War Second Anglo-Burmese War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Mentioned in Despatches |
Sir Scudamore Winde Steel (born 1789 – died 11 March 1865) was a high-ranking British Army officer. He served with the East India Company, which was a powerful British trading company that also had its own army in India. He reached the rank of Lieutenant General.
Contents
Sir Scudamore Winde Steel: A British Officer's Story
Sir Scudamore Winde Steel was an important figure in the British military during the 1800s. He spent many years serving in India and other parts of Asia. His career involved several major wars and important leadership roles.
Early Life and Joining the Army
Scudamore Winde Steel was born in 1789. His father, David Steel, was a lawyer. His mother, Mary Winde, was the daughter of a judge named Scudamore Winde.
In 1805, when he was about 16 years old, Steel joined the East India Company's army as a cadet. A cadet is a trainee officer. The next year, he became a lieutenant in the Madras Army. This was one of the three armies of the East India Company in India.
Key Military Roles and Promotions
Steel quickly moved up in the army ranks. In 1821, he became a captain. He then joined the 51st native infantry unit in 1824. He also worked on the staff of the quartermaster-general, which means he helped with army supplies and movements.
He was promoted to major in 1832. From 1832 to 1845, he worked as a secretary in the military department in Madras. This was an important administrative role. In 1835, he became a lieutenant colonel. He also received an award called the Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1838. This award recognized his excellent service.
Leading in Wars
Steel took part in several important military campaigns.
- In 1817–18, he was slightly hurt during the Third Anglo-Maratha War. This war was fought between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire in India.
- In 1826, he served in the First Anglo-Burmese War. This war was fought between the British and the Konbaung Dynasty of Burma (now Myanmar).
- In 1834, he helped capture a place called Coorg in India.
- In 1852–53, he commanded the Madras army during the Second Anglo-Burmese War. This was another conflict between the British and Burma.
After the Second Anglo-Burmese War, Steel was recognized for his leadership. In December 1853, he was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. This was a very high honor. He was then promoted to Major General in 1854. He was given command of the Pegu division and the Martaban provinces in Burma.
Later Life and Family
In 1856, Sir Scudamore Winde Steel returned to England. He was promoted to lieutenant general in 1861. This was his highest rank.
He married Elizabeth Margaret Read in 1840. Her father was also a military officer. Their oldest son, Charles Steel, followed in his father's footsteps. Charles served in the Crimean War with the 12th Lancers. He was present at the Siege of Sevastopol, a major battle during that war.
Sir Scudamore Winde Steel passed away at his home in Hyde Park, London, in 1865. He was 76 years old.
