Thomas Sydney Beckwith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Thomas Beckwith
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|---|---|
| Birth name | Thomas Sydney Beckwith |
| Born | 17 February 1770 Ford, Northumberland, England |
| Died | 15 January 1831 (aged 61) Mahabaleshwar, Bombay, British India |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General |
| Commands held | Bombay Army |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
| Spouse(s) |
Lady Mary Douglas
(m. 1817) |
Sir Thomas Sydney Beckwith (born February 17, 1770, died January 15, 1831) was an important English officer in the British Army. He held several key roles during his career. He was a Lieutenant-General, which is a very high rank in the army.
Sir Thomas served as the chief supply officer, called the quartermaster general, for British forces in Canada during the War of 1812. Later, he became the commander-in-chief of the Bombay Army in British India. He is best known for his brave service in the Peninsular War and for helping to create and lead the famous 95th Rifles regiment.
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Early Life and Family Connections
Thomas Beckwith came from a family of military leaders. His father, Major General John Beckwith, led the 20th Regiment of Foot. Thomas had several brothers who also served in the army, including Sir George Beckwith and Brigadier General Ferdinand Beckwith. His nephew, Major-General John Charles Beckwith, also became a high-ranking officer.
Thomas joined the Army himself in 1791. He started with the 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot and served with them in India. In 1817, he married Lady Mary Douglas. Her brothers later became important figures as the Marquess of Queensberry. Thomas and Mary had one son, also named Thomas Sydney Beckwith, who became a captain in the Rifle Brigade but sadly died young in 1828.
Leading the 95th Rifles
In 1800, Thomas Beckwith was chosen to lead a company in a new group of soldiers called the "Experimental Corps of Riflemen." This group later became the famous 95th Rifles regiment, known for their special skills and green uniforms. He quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a major in 1802 and a lieutenant colonel in 1803. He then took command of the 1st Battalion of the 95th Rifles.
Beckwith was a favorite officer of Sir John Moore, a very respected general. He helped General Moore train the soldiers who would later form the Light Division. This division was known for being fast and effective in battle.
He took part in military trips to Hanover in 1806 and Copenhagen in 1807. After that, he joined the British forces in the Peninsular War under Major General Arthur Wellesley, who later became the Duke of Wellington.
Battles in the Peninsular War
Beckwith and the Rifles fought bravely in many important battles. They were at the Battle of Vimeiro and played a key role in protecting the army during the retreat through Spain under Sir John Moore. The Rifles often faced the toughest fighting at the back of the army.
The next year, he returned to Portugal. He was put in charge of the 1st Brigade of the Light Division. Beckwith was part of Craufurd's long march to the battle of Talavera. In 1810, during the French invasion of Portugal, he fought in the Battle of the Coa and the Battle of Busaco. He also distinguished himself in the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro and the Battle of Sabugal, helping to push the French out of Portugal.
Service as Quartermaster General
In 1812, Sir Thomas Beckwith was given a new important job. He became the Assistant Quartermaster General for the British forces in British North America (which included parts of Canada and the United States). This meant he was in charge of supplies, maps, and planning for the army.
He went to Bermuda to lead a group of soldiers. This force included the 102nd Regiment of Foot, Royal Marines, and a company of Independent Foreigners.
War of 1812 in America
In 1813, Beckwith led his forces to Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. At the Battle of Craney Island, his troops tried to land but were stopped by American shore defenses. Later, he captured Hampton, Virginia.
In 1814, he was promoted to major general. He then became the quartermaster general for the troops in Canada under Sir George Prevost. Prevost's army tried to invade New York but was defeated at the Battle of Plattsburgh. Some soldiers felt that Prevost and his staff, including Beckwith, were partly to blame for this defeat because they didn't have enough information about the area or the enemy.
Sir Thomas Beckwith was recognized for his service. He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1812 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1815. In 1827, he became the colonel commandant of his old regiment, the Rifle Brigade.
Later Service in India
In 1829, Sir Thomas Beckwith was appointed commander-in-chief of the Bombay Army in India. This was a very high position. In 1830, he was promoted to lieutenant general. Sadly, he died of a fever the next year in Mahableshwar, India.
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