William Anson McCleverty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Anson McCleverty
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William Anson McCleverty
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| Born | 11 February 1806 |
| Died | 6 October 1897 (aged 91) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Madras Army |
William Anson McCleverty was a British soldier who became a General. He was born on February 11, 1806, and passed away on October 6, 1897. From 1867 to 1871, he held a very important job as the Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
William Anson McCleverty was the son of another military leader, Major-General Robert McCleverty. In 1824, when he was 18, William joined the army. He became an officer in the 48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot, which was an infantry regiment.
Military Adventures
McCleverty had an exciting military career. He took part in several campaigns and lived in different parts of the world.
Campaigns and Service
- In 1834, he served in battles against the Maharajah of Coorg. Coorg was a small kingdom in India.
- Later, he went to New Zealand. He was part of the Wanganui Campaign in 1847. This was a conflict in New Zealand.
- He lived in New Zealand for a long time, from 1846 to 1857. He even returned there for another period later on.
Rising Through the Ranks
William McCleverty kept getting promoted because of his hard work and leadership.
- He became a major-general in the army.
- In 1860, he was put in charge of the Madras district in India.
- He then became the General Officer Commanding the South-Eastern District in the UK in October 1866.
- His biggest role came in November 1867. He was made the Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army. This meant he was the top military leader for that part of India.
- He retired from this important job in March 1871.
Even after retiring from his command, McCleverty continued to be involved with the army.
- From 1868 to 1875, he was the colonel of the 108th (Madras Infantry) Regiment of Foot. A colonel is a high-ranking officer.
- In 1875, he moved to be the colonel of his original regiment, the 48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot.
- When regiments combined in 1881, he became the colonel of the 1st Battalion of the new Northamptonshire Regiment. He held this position until he passed away.
- On March 17, 1876, he was promoted to the highest rank: full General.
General McCleverty lived to be very old. He died on October 6, 1897, when he was ninety-one years old.
A Hidden Talent: Art
Besides his military career, William Anson McCleverty also had a creative side. He enjoyed painting with watercolours. Some of his artworks are kept in important libraries today.
- The Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand, has some of his paintings.
- The National Library of Australia in Canberra also holds some of his works.
