Sir John Hamilton, 1st Baronet, of Woodbrook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir John Hamilton
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| Born | 4 August 1755 Strabane, County Tyrone |
| Died | 24 December 1835 Tunbridge Wells, Kent |
| Allegiance |  Honourable East India Company United Kingdom Kingdom of Portugal |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1771–1835 |
| Rank | British Army Lieutenant General |
| Battles/wars | Invasion of Cooch Behar First Anglo-Maratha War • Capture of Lahar • Capture of Gwalior • Capture of Bijaigarh Second Mysore War • Capture of Bangalore French Revolutionary Wars • Haitian Revolution Napoleonic Wars • Battle of Albuera • Second Siege of Badajoz • Defence of Alba de Tormes • Battle of Nivelle |
| Awards | Baronetcy of Woodbrook Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and Sword British knighthood |
Sir John James Hamilton (born August 4, 1755 – died December 24, 1835) was a brave British army officer. He served in different armies, including the Honourable East India Company, the British Army, and even the Portuguese Army during the Napoleonic Wars. He fought in many places around the world, from India to the West Indies. Both the British and Portuguese royal families honored him for his service. John Hamilton came from a noble Irish family and was known for his long and courageous career.
Contents
Early Life and First Adventures
John Hamilton was born in 1755 in a place called Woodbrook, near Strabane in County Tyrone, Ireland. His mother was related to the Earl Castle Stewart, which helped him join the army of the Honourable East India Company when he was just 16 years old in 1771.
In 1772, he joined the Bengal Light Infantry and quickly saw action. He helped the British invade Cooch Behar, a region in India. In 1778, he became a lieutenant. Two years later, in 1780, he fought in the First Anglo-Maratha War. His troops helped capture important places like Lahar, Gwalior, and Bijaigarh from the Maratha Empire. After the war ended in 1781, Hamilton was promoted to captain.
Moving to the British Army
In 1788, Hamilton wanted to advance his career, so he joined the regular British Army. He became a captain in the new 76th Regiment of Foot in Calcutta, India. In 1794, his troops captured the city of Bangalore during the Second Mysore War against Tipu Sultan. Bangalore later became part of British East India.
That same year, Hamilton married Emily Sophia Monck. After the Bangalore operation, he was promoted to major. In 1795, he was sent to the West Indies as a lieutenant colonel with the 81st Regiment of Foot. They tried to capture San Domingo during the Haitian Revolution, but it was a difficult fight. Even though the mission failed, Hamilton showed great bravery.
Fighting in the Napoleonic Wars
In 1798, Hamilton was sent to the Cape Colony in South Africa, which the British had recently taken from the Dutch. He stayed there until 1802, when he briefly returned to Britain. When the Napoleonic Wars started again in 1803, he went back to the Cape. Soon after, he became a brigadier-general and was assigned to work in Ireland.
Hamilton wanted more action, so in 1809, he volunteered to join the Portuguese Army. This army had been badly damaged by the French invasion of 1808. He worked hard to train and organize a division of Portuguese soldiers. In 1809, he was promoted to major-general and became the Inspector-General of Portuguese Infantry.
Key Battles in Portugal and Spain
Hamilton was a very effective officer. In 1810, his Portuguese division joined Sir Arthur Wellesley's British army. In 1811, his division faced its first major battle at Battle of Albuera. Hamilton's troops were a reserve force, meaning they were ready to step in when needed. They were called into the thick of the battle to help the main Allied forces. Hamilton's troops were among the steadiest and freshest after the battle. They immediately went to the Second Siege of Badajoz, though that siege was not successful. People said that Hamilton "showed the greatest steadiness and courage" at Albuera.
Hamilton led his division until 1813. His troops also fought to defend the town of Alba de Tormes in November 1812 against a French army led by Marshal Soult. After four years of continuous fighting, Hamilton had to return to England in 1813 because he was sick.
Awards and Retirement
While he was away, Hamilton received many honors. The Portuguese monarchy made him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and Sword. He was also knighted by the Prince Regent (who later became King George IV) and became an honorary colonel of the 2nd Ceylon Regiment.
Hamilton returned to his division in late 1813 and commanded them during the last parts of the Peninsula War, fighting in the Battle of Nivelle. After the war ended with the Peace of Fontainebleau, Hamilton returned to the British Army. He was promoted to lieutenant general for his service and given a quiet command at Duncannon Fort.
In December 1814, Hamilton received another reward: he was made a baronet, which is a special title. He then retired to his family estates. In 1823, he became the Colonel-in-chief of the 69th Regiment of Foot. Sir John Hamilton passed away in 1835 in Tunbridge Wells and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London. He was survived by his wife, five daughters, and his son, Sir John James Hamilton, 2nd Baronet.
