Sir Robert Rich, 4th Baronet

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Sir Robert Rich, Bt
Portrait by William Aikman
Born3 July 1685
Roos Hall, Beccles, Suffolk, England
Died1 February 1768 (aged 82)
Roos Hall, Beccles, Suffolk, Great Britain
Allegiance Kingdom of England
 Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch English Army
 British Army
Years of service1700–1768
RankField Marshal
Battles/wars

Member of Parliament
he represented three different constituencies but never attained political office.

Career

Rich fought under the Earl of Stair at the Battle of Dettingen.

Born the son of Sir Robert Rich, 2nd Baronet and Mary Rich (née Rich, daughter of Sir Charles Rich, 1st Baronet), Rich was commissioned as an ensign in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards and lieutenant in the Army on 10 June 1700.[1]

He fought in the

lieutenant-colonel in the Army in March 1708.[2] In June 1708 he fought a duel with Sir Edmund Bacon, 4th Baronet who was wounded but survived.[2]

When the threat of the

Government, was rewarded with the colonelcy of the 13th Hussars in November 1722.[2]

He was elected as Member of Parliament for

Groom of the Bedchamber to King George II, a position he held until 1759.[4]

Having been promoted to

brigadier-general on 15 March 1727,[5] he went on to be colonel of The King's Regiment of Carabineers in January 1731, colonel of the 1st Troop Horse of Grenadier Guards in July 1733[6] and, finally, colonel of the 4th Regiment of Dragoons in May 1735.[7]

Promoted to

court martial of Lieutenant-General Thomas Fowke, Governor of Gibraltar, on a charge of disobeying orders in August 1756.[12]

Rich was promoted to

general of horse on 24 March 1746[13] and to field marshal on 3 December 1757.[14] In retirement he continued to live in the family home, Roos Hall in Beccles.[15] He died on 1 February 1768.[16]

Family

In 1710 Rich married Elizabeth Griffith; they had three sons, including Sir Robert Rich, 5th Baronet and Sir George Rich, 6th Baronet, and one daughter, Elizabeth, who married George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton.[17]

References

  1. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/23496. Retrieved 21 July 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)
  2. ^ a b c d e f Heathcote, p. 245
  3. ^ "No. 5349". The London Gazette. 23 July 1715. p. 1.
  4. ^ a b Matthews, Shirley (1970). "RICH, Sir Robert, 4th Bt. (1685–1768), of Roos Hall, Suff.". In Sedgwick, Romney (ed.). The House of Commons 1715-1754. The History of Parliament Trust.
  5. ^ "No. 6572". The London Gazette. 11 April 1727. p. 3.
  6. ^ "No. 7211". The London Gazette. 7 July 1733. p. 1.
  7. ^ "No. 7403". The London Gazette. 17 May 1735. p. 1.
  8. ^ "No. 7464". The London Gazette. 16 December 1735. p. 1.
  9. ^ "No. 7823". The London Gazette. 14 July 1739. p. 1.
  10. ^ "The Royal Hospital: Paymasters General and Officials, Survey of London: volume 11: Chelsea, part IV: The Royal Hospital". 1927. pp. 37–60. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  11. ^ "No. 7909". The London Gazette. 10 May 1740. p. 2.
  12. ^ "No. 9608". The London Gazette. 10 August 1756. p. 1.
  13. ^ "No. 8625". The London Gazette. 21 March 1746. p. 2.
  14. ^ "No. 9744". The London Gazette. 29 November 1757. p. 1.
  15. ^ "Beccles, The History and Antiquities of the County of Suffolk: volume 1". 1846. pp. 1–35. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  16. ^ Heathcote, p. 246
  17. ^ Mosley, p. 838

Sources

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Member of Parliament for Dunwich
1715–1722
With: Charles Long
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Member of Parliament for Bere Alston
1724–1727
With: St John Brodrick
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Henry Knollys
Henry Knollys 1727–1734
William Mackworth Praed
1734–1741
Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by
Regiment raised
Colonel of the 18th Dragoons
1715–1717
Succeeded by
James Crofts
Preceded by
Richard Munden
Colonel of Rich's Regiment of Dragoons
1722–1725
Succeeded by
Colonel of Rich's Regiment of Dragoons
1725–1731
Succeeded by
Preceded by Colonel of The King's Regiment of Carabineers
1731–1733
Preceded by Captain and Colonel of the
1st Troop of Horse Grenadier Guards

1733–1735
Succeeded by
Preceded by Colonel of the 4th Regiment of Dragoons
1735–1768
Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Governor, Royal Hospital Chelsea

1740–1768
Succeeded by
Baronetage of England
Preceded by Baronet
(of London)
1706–1768
Succeeded by