Stapleton Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Viscount Combermere
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| Governor of Barbados | |
| In office 1817–1820 |
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| Monarch | George III |
| Preceded by | John Foster Alleyne (acting) |
| Succeeded by | John Brathwaite Skeete (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 November 1773 Lleweni Hall, Denbighshire |
| Died | 21 February 1865 (aged 91) Clifton, Bristol, Bristol |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Westminster School |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order Knight Companion of the Order of the Star of India |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1790–1830 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Commands | 25th Light Dragoons 16th Light Dragoons Commander-in-Chief, Ireland Commander-in-Chief, India |
| Battles/wars | French Revolutionary Wars Fourth Anglo-Mysore War Peninsular War |
Field Marshal Stapleton Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere (1773–1865) was a famous British Army officer. He was also a diplomat and a politician.
As a young officer, he fought in the French Revolutionary Wars in Europe. He also served in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in India. Later, he helped stop a rebellion in Ireland in 1803.
He became a cavalry commander under Sir Arthur Wellesley (who later became the Duke of Wellington). He led cavalry in the Peninsular War in Spain and Portugal.
After that, he became the top military leader in Ireland. Then he became the Commander-in-Chief in India. In India, he led a successful attack on a very strong fort called Bharatpur. People thought this fort could not be captured.
Contents
Stapleton Cotton: A Life of Service
Early Life and Military Start
Stapleton Cotton was born on November 14, 1773, at Lleweni Hall in Wales. He was the second son of Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton.
He went to school at Westminster School and then to a military academy. On February 26, 1790, when he was 16, he joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers as a second-lieutenant. This was the start of his long military career.
He quickly moved up the ranks. By 1793, he was a captain in the 6th Dragoon Guards. He fought in battles in Europe, including the Siege of Dunkirk in 1793. In 1794, he became a lieutenant colonel, leading the 25th Light Dragoons.
Service in India and Ireland
In 1796, Cotton and his regiment went to India. On the way, they helped with operations in Cape Colony in South Africa. In India, he was part of the Siege of Seringapatam in 1799. This is where he first met Colonel Arthur Wellesley.
In 1802, his regiment moved to Ireland. He helped put down a rebellion led by Robert Emmet in 1803. By 1805, he was promoted to major-general.
Leading Cavalry in the Peninsular War
In 1806, Cotton became a Member of Parliament for Newark. In April 1809, he went to Portugal to join Sir Arthur Wellesley's army. He commanded a cavalry brigade.
Cotton was known for being brave and always looking smart in battle. His soldiers called him "Lion d'Or," which means "Lion of Gold." He fought in important battles like the Second Battle of Porto and the Battle of Talavera in 1809.
After his father passed away, he became Sir Stapleton Cotton. He returned to Portugal in 1810. He was given command of all the cavalry. He fought at the Battle of Bussaco and helped the army retreat safely.
Key Victories and Recognition
Cotton continued to fight bravely. He was promoted to lieutenant-general in 1812. He played a key role in the Battle of Salamanca in July 1812. He led a very successful cavalry charge. Wellington praised him, saying, "By God, Cotton, I never saw anything so beautiful in my life; the day is yours."
During this battle, he was accidentally shot by a Portuguese guard. For his bravery, he received important awards. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Bath and a Knight Grand Cross of a Portuguese military order.
He also fought in the Battle of the Pyrenees (1813), the Battle of Orthez (1814), and the Battle of Toulouse (1814). For his great service, he was given the title Baron Combermere in 1814.
After the Napoleonic Wars
Stapleton Cotton was not at the Battle of Waterloo. The cavalry command went to another general. However, he joined the army that occupied France after the war ended.
In 1817, he became the Governor of Barbados. He was also the commander of the British forces in the West Indies. He oversaw some changes to his home, Combermere Abbey, including adding a "Wellington's Wing" after Wellington visited in 1820. In 1822, he became the Commander-in-Chief in Ireland.
Commander-in-Chief in India
In 1825, Cotton was promoted to full general. He then became the Commander-in-Chief, India. His most famous achievement in India was the storming of Bharatpur on January 18, 1826.
Bharatpur was a very strong fort that had resisted attacks before. After a three-week siege, Cotton's forces captured it. This victory helped restore the rightful ruler to the throne. For this success, he was given the higher title of Viscount Combermere in 1827. He brought a large cannon from Bharatpur back to England. He retired from active service in 1830.
Later Life and Honors
In 1852, he took over from Wellington as the Constable of the Tower of London. He was promoted to field marshal on October 2, 1855. This is the highest rank in the British Army. In 1861, he received another important award, becoming a Knight of the Order of the Star of India.
Field Marshal Viscount Combermere passed away on February 21, 1865, at the age of 91. He was buried at St Margaret's Church, Wrenbury. A bronze statue was built in his honor in Chester. An obelisk (a tall, pointed stone pillar) was also put up at Combermere Park in 1890.
Family Life
Viscount Combermere was married three times:
- His first wife was Lady Anna Maria Clinton. They married in 1801 and had three sons, but all of them died young.
- His second wife was Caroline Greville. They married in 1814. They had three children:
* Wellington Henry Stapleton-Cotton, 2nd Viscount Combermere (1818–1891), who inherited his title. * Hon. Caroline Stapleton-Cotton. * Hon. Meliora Emily Anna Maria Cotton.
- His third wife was Mary Woolley. They married in 1838 and did not have any children together.
Images for kids
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Memorial in St Margaret's Church, Wrenbury
