Sir John Hamilton, 1st Baronet, of Woodbrook

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For other people named John Hamilton, see John Hamilton (disambiguation).

Sir John Hamilton
British knighthood

Honourable East India Company, the British Army and during the Napoleonic Wars the Portuguese Army who saw action across the world from India to the West Indies and was honoured for his service by both the British and Portuguese royal families. Of noble Irish descent, related by birth to the first Earl Castle Stewart and by marriage to the Earl of Tyrone
, Hamilton's extensive career and brave service was widely recognised during his life and after his death.

Early career

John Hamilton was born in Woodbrook near

Maratha Empire. In 1781 at the war's conclusion, Hamilton was promoted again, to captain.[1]

In 1788, seeking advancement, Hamilton transferred to the regular

San Domingo. The effort failed due to the ongoing Haitian Revolution, but Hamilton again distinguished himself during the campaign.[1]

Napoleonic Wars

In 1798 Hamilton was sent to the

major-general and in his new rank was made Inspector-General of Portuguese Infantry.[1]

Hamilton was an efficient officer and with his division, attached himself to Sir Arthur Wellesley's British army on campaign in 1810. In 1811 the Portuguese formation underwent its first major action at the Battle of Albuera, Hamilton's division acting as a ready reserve and being called into the height of the battle to reinforce the Allied centre. Hamilton's forces had in fact been drawn into the fight on the left of the Allied line and took some time to be extracted. In the aftermath of the battle, Hamilton's troops were the steadiest and freshest available and immediately returned to the ultimately unsuccessful Second Siege of Badajoz. It has been said of Hamilton that he "evinced the utmost steadiness and courage" at Albuera.[1]

Hamilton commanded the division until 1813, his troops seeing further action defending the town of

Prince Regent as well as being made honorary colonel of the 2nd Ceylon Regiment.[2] Hamilton returned to his division in late 1813 and commanded them during the last of the fighting in the Peninsula War, seeing action at the Battle of Nivelle. Following the Peace of Fontainebleau, Hamilton returned to the British Army, was made lieutenant general in recognition of his service and placed in the quiet command of Duncannon Fort.[1]

In December 1814, Hamilton was further rewarded with a

Sir John James Hamilton, 2nd Baronet.[1]

Notes

  1. ^
    Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
    , H. M. Chichester, Retrieved 27 November 2007
  2. ^ "No. 16752". The London Gazette. 13 July 1813. p. 5.

References

Military offices
Preceded by
William Carr Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford
 Colonel of the 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot
1823–1836 		Succeeded by
Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baronet
(of Woodbrook)
1814–1835 		Succeeded by
John Hamilton
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