Sir Hew Dalrymple Ross | |
|---|---|
 Portrait byWilliam Salter (oil on canvas, 1834–1840) | |
| Born | 5 July 1779 Balkail,Kirkcudbrightshire |
| Died | 10 December 1868 (aged 89) Knightsbridge,London |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1795–1858 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Commands | The Chestnut Troop |
| Battles / wars | Irish Rebellion of 1798 Peninsular War Crimean War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath |
Field MarshalSir Hew Dalrymple Ross,GCB (5 July 1779 – 10 December 1868) was aBritish Army officer. After seeing active service during theIrish Rebellion of 1798, he fought as a troop commander in many of the battles of thePeninsular War and theHundred Days. He went on to become the Artillery Commander, Northern District with delegated command over all the forces of the four northern counties before being promoted to Deputy Adjutant-General, Royal Artillery. Ross was the last person to hold the title ofLieutenant-General of the Ordnance, assuming responsibility for the artillery component sent to take part in theCrimean War underLord Raglan. After the war he served asMaster Gunner, St James's Park, a senior ceremonial post in theRoyal Artillery.
Born the son of Major John Ross and Jane Ross (née Buchan), Ross was educated at theRoyal Military Academy, Woolwich andcommissioned as asecond lieutenant in theRoyal Artillery on 6 March 1795.[1] Promoted tolieutenant on 10 May 1796,[2] he saw active service during theIrish Rebellion of 1798 and, following promotion tocaptain lieutenant on 1 September 1803,[3] was elevated to the role ofadjutant on 15 September 1803.[4] He was further promoted tosecond captain on 26 July 1804[5] on appointment as adjutant of the 4th Battalion, Royal Artillery atWoolwich Barracks.[6] Promoted tocaptain on 24 July 1806,[7] he was given command of a troop of theRoyal Horse Artillery, which later became famous asthe Chestnut Troop.[8]
In 1809, during thePeninsular War, the troop landed atLisbon and joinedSir Arthur Wellesley's army. Ross's guns were attached to theLight Division and, withRobert Craufurd, took part in several actions during theBattle of the Côa in July 1810 and theBattle of Bussaco in September 1810.[9] WhenAndré Masséna began his retreat from theLines of Torres Vedras, Ross's troop joined the pursuit, seeing action at theBattle of Pombal, theBattle of Redinha and theBattle of Casal Novo in March 1811 as well as at theBattle of Sabugal in April 1811 and theBattle of Fuentes de Oñoro in May 1811.[6] He was rewarded with promotion tomajor on 31 December 1811.[6]
Ross was present at theSiege of Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812, theSiege of Badajoz in April 1812 and at theBattle of Salamanca in July 1812.[6] After theBattle of Vitoria in June 1813, Ross's guns were continually with the most advanced troops, and they captured the sole remaining piece of artillery held by the French troops.[1] He was rewarded with promotion tolieutenant colonel on 3 July 1813.[10] In July 1813, Ross also took part in theBattle of the Pyrenees, which was followed by actions atBidassoa in October 1813 andNivelle in November 1813. During theBattle of the Nive in December 1813, Ross had his horse shot out from under him, but he was unharmed and in April 1814 he fought at theBattle of Bayonne.[6] Following these military successes, he was appointed aKnight Commander of the Order of the Bath on 4 January 1815.[11] During theHundred Days, Ross was engaged at theBattle of Waterloo in June 1815, and although half his guns were disabled, the remainder took part in the pursuit of the French.[12] He was awarded the RussianOrder of St. Anna, 2nd Class on 8 October 1815.[13]
Ross became the Artillery Commander, Northern District in 1825 with delegated command over all the forces of the four most northern counties in England.[12] Promoted tocolonel on 22 July 1830, he became Deputy Adjutant-General, Royal Artillery on 23 April 1840,[14] receiving promotion tomajor-general on 23 November 1841 and tolieutenant general on 11 November 1851.[15] He becameLieutenant-General of the Ordnance on 2 May 1854[16] and in that capacity was responsible for checking the artillery component sent to take part in theCrimean War underLord Raglan personally ensuring that every battery was despatched from the United Kingdom to the front in a high state of efficiency.[1] He also founded the facility that was to become the Royal Artillery Experimental Unit atShoeburyness.[1] He was promoted to fullgeneral on 28 November 1854[17] and, following the abolition of theBoard of Ordnance, became Adjutant-General, Royal Artillery on 22 May 1855.[18] He was advanced toKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on 5 July 1855[19] and also served as colonel commandant of the Royal Horse Artillery.[12]
Ross retired in April 1858; he becameMaster Gunner, St James's Park in 1864 and, having been promoted tofield marshal on 1 January 1868,[20] he became lieutenant-governor of theRoyal Hospital Chelsea on 3 August 1868.[21] He died a few months later at his home inKnightsbridge inLondon on 10 December 1868.[12]
In 1816 Ross married Elizabeth Graham; they had two sons, Major Hew Graham Ross (1817-1848) andGeneral Sir John Ross.[12]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Vacant | Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance 1854–1855 | Succeeded by Office abolished |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by | Master Gunner, St James's Park 1864–1868 | Succeeded by |