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Born the only son of Samuel Colborne and Cordelia Anne Colborne (née Garstin), Colborne was educated at [[Christ's Hospital]] in [[London]] and at [[Winchester College]].<ref name=dcb>{{Cite DCB|4359}}</ref> He was commissioned as an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] in the [[Lancashire Fusiliers|20th Regiment of Foot]] on 10 July 1794 securing all subsequent steps in his regimental promotion without [[Purchase of commissions in the British army|purchase]].<ref name=heath90>Heathcote, p. 90</ref> Promoted to [[lieutenant]] on 4 September 1795 and to [[captain lieutenant]] on 11 August 1799, he saw action at the [[Battle of Alkmaar (1799)|Battle of Alkmaar]] in October 1799, where he was wounded, during the [[Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland]].<ref name=heath90/> Promoted to brevet [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] on 12 January 1800, he took part in [[Ralph Abercromby|Sir Ralph Abercromby]]'s [[French campaign in Egypt and Syria|expedition to Egypt]] in August 1801 and was wounded again.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=15182|supp=|startpage=938|date=16 September 1799|accessdate=26 January 2014}}</ref>
Born the only son of Samuel Colborne and Cordelia Anne Colborne (née Garstin), Colborne was educated at [[Christ's Hospital]] in [[London]] and at [[Winchester College]].<ref name=dcb>{{Cite DCB|4359}}</ref> He was commissioned as an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] in the [[Lancashire Fusiliers|20th Regiment of Foot]] on 10 July 1794 securing all subsequent steps in his regimental promotion without [[Purchase of commissions in the British army|purchase]].<ref name=heath90>Heathcote, p. 90</ref> Promoted to [[lieutenant]] on 4 September 1795 and to [[captain lieutenant]] on 11 August 1799, he saw action at the [[Battle of Alkmaar (1799)|Battle of Alkmaar]] in October 1799, where he was wounded, during the [[Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland]].<ref name=heath90/> Promoted to brevet [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] on 12 January 1800, he took part in [[Ralph Abercromby|Sir Ralph Abercromby]]'s [[French campaign in Egypt and Syria|expedition to Egypt]] in August 1801 and was wounded again.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=15182|supp=|startpage=938|date=16 September 1799|accessdate=26 January 2014}}</ref>


Colborne was deployed with his regiment to [[Italy]] where he distinguished himself at the [[Battle of Maida]] in July 1806 during the [[War of the Third Coalition]].<ref name=heath90/> He became military secretary to General [[Henry Edward Fox|Henry Fox]] in 1806 and then became military secretary to [[John Moore (British Army officer)|Sir John Moore]] with the rank of [[major]] on 21 January 1808.<ref name=heath90/> In this capacity he accompanied Moore to Sweden in May 1808 and to Portugal in 1808 and served with him at the [[Battle of Benavente]] in December 1808 and [[Battle of Corunna]] in January 1809.<ref name=heath90/> It was Moore's dying request that Colborne should be given a [[lieutenant colonel]]cy and this was complied with on 2 February 1809.<ref name=heath90/> He transferred to the [[66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot|66th Regiment of Foot]] on 2 November 1809, and after returning to Spain with [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Sir Arthur Wellesley]]'s Army, he witnessed the defeat of the Spaniards at the [[Battle of Ocaña]] later that month.<ref name=heath91>Heathcote, p. 91</ref> He commanded a brigade at the [[Battle of Bussaco]] in September 1810 and then commanded the 2nd Battalion of the 66th Regiment of Foot at the [[Battle of Albuera]] in May 1811 where his battalion was severely mauled by the [[French Army]].<ref name=odnb>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/5835?docPos=1|title=John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton|publisher=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|accessdate=26 December 2014}}</ref> After transferring to the command of the [[52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot|52nd Regiment of Foot]] he took part in the [[Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (1812)|Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo]] in January 1812 where he was badly injured and had to be invalided back to England.<ref name=heath91/>
Colborne was deployed with his regiment to [[Italy]] where he distinguished himself at the [[Battle of Maida]] in July 1806 during the [[War of the Third Coalition]].<ref name=heath90/> He became military secretary to General [[Henry Edward Fox|Henry Fox]] in 1806 and then became military secretary to [[John Moore (British Army officer)|Sir John Moore]] with the rank of [[major]] on 21 January 1808.<ref name=heath90/> In this capacity he accompanied Moore to Sweden in May 1808 and to Portugal in 1808 and served with him at the [[Battle of Benavente]] in December 1808 and [[Battle of Corunna]] in January 1809.<ref name=heath90/> It was Moore's dying request that Colborne should be given a [[lieutenant colonel]]cy and this was complied with on 2 February 1809.<ref name=heath90/> He transferred to the [[66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot|66th Regiment of Foot]] on 2 November 1809, and after returning to Spain with [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Sir Arthur Wellesley]]'s Army, he witnessed the defeat of the Spaniards at the [[Battle of Ocaña]] later that month.<ref name=heath91>Heathcote, p. 91</ref> He commanded a brigade at the [[Battle of Bussaco]] in September 1810 and then commanded the 2nd Battalion of the 66th Regiment of Foot at the [[Battle of Albuera]] in May 1811 where his brigade was virtually anihillated by Polish 1st [[Legion_of_the_Vistula#Service_in_Spain|Vistulan]] [[Uhlan|Lancers]] Regiment of [[French Army]].<ref name=odnb>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/5835?docPos=1|title=John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton|publisher=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|accessdate=26 December 2014}}</ref> After transferring to the command of the [[52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot|52nd Regiment of Foot]] he took part in the [[Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (1812)|Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo]] in January 1812 where he was badly injured and had to be invalided back to England.<ref name=heath91/>


After recovering in England, Colborne returned to Spain and commanded the 52nd Regiment of Foot at the [[Siege of San Sebastián]] in August 1813 before taking temporary charge of the 2nd brigade of the Light Division in late 1813 and commanding it at the [[Battle of the Bidassoa (1813)|Battle of the Bidassoa]] in October 1813, at the [[Battle of Nivelle]] in November 1813 and at the [[Battle of the Nive]] in December 1813.<ref name=heath91/> He returned to the 52nd Regiment of Foot and commanded it at the [[Battle of Orthez]] in February 1814 and at the [[Battle of Toulouse (1814)|Battle of Toulouse]] in April 1814 and at the [[Battle of Bayonne]] also in April 1814.<ref name=heath91/> He was appointed a [[Order of the Bath|Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] on 4 January 1815.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=16972|supp=|startpage=20|date=4 January 1815|accessdate=26 January 2014}}</ref>
After recovering in England, Colborne returned to Spain and commanded the 52nd Regiment of Foot at the [[Siege of San Sebastián]] in August 1813 before taking temporary charge of the 2nd brigade of the Light Division in late 1813 and commanding it at the [[Battle of the Bidassoa (1813)|Battle of the Bidassoa]] in October 1813, at the [[Battle of Nivelle]] in November 1813 and at the [[Battle of the Nive]] in December 1813.<ref name=heath91/> He returned to the 52nd Regiment of Foot and commanded it at the [[Battle of Orthez]] in February 1814 and at the [[Battle of Toulouse (1814)|Battle of Toulouse]] in April 1814 and at the [[Battle of Bayonne]] also in April 1814.<ref name=heath91/> He was appointed a [[Order of the Bath|Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] on 4 January 1815.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=16972|supp=|startpage=20|date=4 January 1815|accessdate=26 January 2014}}</ref>

Revision as of 10:55, 16 May 2014

The Lord Seaton
John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton portrait by George Theodore Berthon
Born1778
Lyndhurst, Hampshire, England
Died1863 (aged 84–85)
Torquay, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1794 - 1860
RankField Marshal
Commands2nd Bn 66th Regiment of Foot
52nd Regiment of Foot
Commander-in-Chief, Ireland
Battles / warsFrench Revolutionary Wars
Napoleonic Wars
Canadian Rebellions
AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order

Field Marshal John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton, GCB, GCMG, GCH, PC (16 February 1778 – 17 April 1863) was a British Army officer and Colonial Governor. After taking part as a junior officer in the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland, Sir Ralph Abercromby's expedition to Egypt and then the War of the Third Coalition, he served as military secretary to Sir John Moore at the Battle of Corunna. He then commanded the 2nd Battalion of the 66th Regiment of Foot and, later, the 52nd Regiment of Foot at many of the battles of the Peninsular War. At the Battle of Waterloo, Colborne on his own initiative brought the 52nd Regiment of Foot forward, took up a flanking position in relation to the French Imperial Guard and then, after firing repeated volleys into their flank, charged at the Guard so driving them back in disorder. He went on to become commander-in-chief of all the armed forces in British North America, personally leading the offensive at the Battle of Saint-Eustache in Lower Canada and defeating the rebel force in December 1837. After that he was high commissioner of the Ionian Islands and then Commander-in-Chief, Ireland.

Early career and the Peninsular War

Born the only son of Samuel Colborne and Cordelia Anne Colborne (née Garstin), Colborne was educated at Christ's Hospital in London and at Winchester College.[1] He was commissioned as an ensign in the 20th Regiment of Foot on 10 July 1794 securing all subsequent steps in his regimental promotion without purchase.[2] Promoted to lieutenant on 4 September 1795 and to captain lieutenant on 11 August 1799, he saw action at the Battle of Alkmaar in October 1799, where he was wounded, during the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland.[2] Promoted to brevet captain on 12 January 1800, he took part in Sir Ralph Abercromby's expedition to Egypt in August 1801 and was wounded again.[3]

Colborne was deployed with his regiment to Italy where he distinguished himself at the Battle of Maida in July 1806 during the War of the Third Coalition.[2] He became military secretary to General Henry Fox in 1806 and then became military secretary to Sir John Moore with the rank of major on 21 January 1808.[2] In this capacity he accompanied Moore to Sweden in May 1808 and to Portugal in 1808 and served with him at the Battle of Benavente in December 1808 and Battle of Corunna in January 1809.[2] It was Moore's dying request that Colborne should be given a lieutenant colonelcy and this was complied with on 2 February 1809.[2] He transferred to the 66th Regiment of Foot on 2 November 1809, and after returning to Spain with Sir Arthur Wellesley's Army, he witnessed the defeat of the Spaniards at the Battle of Ocaña later that month.[4] He commanded a brigade at the Battle of Bussaco in September 1810 and then commanded the 2nd Battalion of the 66th Regiment of Foot at the Battle of Albuera in May 1811 where his brigade was virtually anihillated by Polish 1st Vistulan Lancers Regiment of French Army.[5] After transferring to the command of the 52nd Regiment of Foot he took part in the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812 where he was badly injured and had to be invalided back to England.[4]

After recovering in England, Colborne returned to Spain and commanded the 52nd Regiment of Foot at the Siege of San Sebastián in August 1813 before taking temporary charge of the 2nd brigade of the Light Division in late 1813 and commanding it at the Battle of the Bidassoa in October 1813, at the Battle of Nivelle in November 1813 and at the Battle of the Nive in December 1813.[4] He returned to the 52nd Regiment of Foot and commanded it at the Battle of Orthez in February 1814 and at the Battle of Toulouse in April 1814 and at the Battle of Bayonne also in April 1814.[4] He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath on 4 January 1815.[6]

Colborne became aide-de-camp to the Prince Regent with the rank of colonel on 4 June 1814,[7] and, following Napoleon's escape from Elba, he managed to dissuade the Prince from attacking the French Army until the Duke of Wellington arrived.[4] At the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815 during the Hundred Days, Colborne on his own initiative brought the 52nd Regiment of Foot forward, took up a flanking position in relation to the French Imperial Guard and then, after firing repeated volleys into their flank, charged at the Guard so driving them back in disorder.[1] He was appointed a Knight of the Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa on 2 August 1815.[8] After the War he remained with his regiment as part of the Army of Occupation.[5]

Canada

Colborne's troops scatter the insurgents and torch the church at the Battle of Saint-Eustache

Colborne became Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey in July 1821[9] and, having been promoted to major-general on 27 May 1825,[10] became Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada in August 1828.[11] As Lieutenant Governor, Colborne increased the population of the province by 70% by initiating an organised system of immigration to bring in settlers from Britain.[5] He also aided settlement by expanding the communication and transportation infrastructure through a campaign to build roads and bridges.[1] He brought changes to the structure of the legislative council, increased fiscal autonomy and encouraged greater independence in the judiciary.[1] In 1829 he founded Upper Canada College as a school based on the Elizabeth College, Guernsey model to educate boys in preparation for becoming leaders of the colonies.[1]

Statue of John Colborne at Peninsula Barracks in Winchester
Statue of John Colborne at Upper Canada College

In January 1836 Colborne became commander-in-chief of all the armed forces in British North America.[1] He was promoted to the local rank of lieutenant general on 8 July 1836.[12] During Colborne's period of office as commander-in-chief, the Family Compact promoted resistance to the political principle of responsible government.[13] At the end of its lifespan, the Compact would be condemned by Lord Durham as "a petty corrupt insolent Tory clique".[13] This resistance, together with conflicts between the assembly and the executive over fiscal matters as well as a difficult economic situation, led to the Rebellions of 1837.[1] Colborne personally led the offensive at the Battle of Saint-Eustache in December 1837 defeating the rebel force which had become holed up in a church.[1]

Colborne was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on 29 January 1838[14] and, following Lord Gosford's resignation in February 1838, he received additional powers as acting Governor General of British North America.[1] Promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant-general on 28 June 1838,[15] he put down a second revolt in October 1838 and was confirmed as Governor General of British North America on 14 December 1838.[16] He left Canada in October 1839 and, after arriving back in England, was raised to the peerage as Baron Seaton of Seaton in Devonshire on 5 December 1839.[17]

Later life

Colborne became high commissioner of the Ionian Islands in February 1843,[18] and having been promoted to full general on 20 June 1854,[19] he became Commander-in-Chief, Ireland in 1855.[4] After standing down from active service in Spring 1860, he was promoted to field marshal on 1 April 1860[20] and retired to his home at Beechwood House in Sparkwell.[21]

Colborne also served as honorary colonel of the 94th Regiment of Foot,[22] as honorary colonel of the 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot[23] and then as honorary colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Life Guards.[24] He was also colonel-in-chief of the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).[25] He died at Valletta House in Torquay on 17 April 1863 and was buried in the churchyard of Holy Cross Church at Newton Ferrers.[5]

In November 1866 a bronze statue of Colborne sculpted by George Adams and financed by public donations was erected at Mount Wise at Devonport: it was moved to Seaton Barracks in Crownhill in the early 1960s and then to Peninsula Barracks in Winchester in the 1990s.[26] A second statue of Colborne also sculpted by George Adams was erected at Upper Canada College.[27]

Family

In 1813 Colborne married Elizabeth Yonge; they had three daughters and five sons.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Heathcote, p. 90
  3. ^ "No. 15182". The London Gazette. 16 September 1799.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Heathcote, p. 91
  5. ^ a b c d "John Colborne, 1st Baron Seaton". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  6. ^ "No. 16972". The London Gazette. 4 January 1815.
  7. ^ "No. 16906". The London Gazette. 7 June 1814.
  8. ^ "No. 17064". The London Gazette. 23 September 1815.
  9. ^ "No. 17737". The London Gazette. 14 August 1821.
  10. ^ "No. 18141". The London Gazette. 28 May 1825.
  11. ^ "No. 18496". The London Gazette. 15 August 1828.
  12. ^ "No. 19398". The London Gazette. 8 July 1836.
  13. ^ a b Lee, p. 149
  14. ^ "No. 19585". The London Gazette. 30 January 1838.
  15. ^ "No. 19631". The London Gazette. 3 July 1838.
  16. ^ "No. 19686". The London Gazette. 14 December 1838.
  17. ^ "No. 19801". The London Gazette. 6 December 1839.
  18. ^ "No. 20197". The London Gazette. 17 February 1843.
  19. ^ "No. 21564". The London Gazette. 22 June 1854.
  20. ^ "No. 22371". The London Gazette. 30 March 1860.
  21. ^ "Plympton St Mary". A vision of Britain. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  22. ^ "No. 19220". The London Gazette. 12 December 1834.
  23. ^ "No. 19602". The London Gazette. 30 March 1838.
  24. ^ "No. 21534". The London Gazette. 24 March 1854.
  25. ^ "No. 22598". The London Gazette. 14 February 1862.
  26. ^ "Statue of Field Marshal Lord Seaton". Devonport on line. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  27. ^ "What Toronto's citizens of stone tell us about our history". Globe & Mail. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.

Sources

  • Heathcote, Tony (1999). The British Field Marshals, 1736–1997: A Biographical Dictionary. Barnsley: Leo Cooper. ISBN 0-85052-696-5.
  • Lee, Robert (2004). The Canada Company and the Huron Tract, 1826-1853. Toronto: Natural Heritage Books. ASIN B00GSWW3PO.
Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, North America
1836–1839 		Vacant
Title next held by
Hon. Charles Cathcart
Preceded by Colonel of the 94th Regiment of Foot
1834–1838 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Colonel of the 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot
1838–1854 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Life Guards
1854–1863 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Ireland
1855–1860 		Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey
1821–1828 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada
1828–1836 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Acting Governor General of British North America
1837–1838 		Succeeded by
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baron Seaton
1839–1863 		Succeeded by
Academic offices
Preceded by Chancellor of King's College
1828–1835 		Succeeded by

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