Amos Norcott

Major-General Sir Amos Godsell Robert Norcott CB KCH (3 August 1777 – 8 January 1838) was an English soldier of the 95th Rifles fought throughout the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo where he commanded a battalion. He later served as an acting Governor of Jamaica, before becoming the commander of Cork District.

Sir

Amos Norcott

CB KCH
Born(1777-08-03)3 August 1777
Westminster, London
Died8 January 1838(1838-01-08) (aged 60)
Cork, Ireland
Buried (51.8944°N 08.48064°W / 51.8944; -08.48064)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
RankMajor General
Unit33rd Foot, 95th Rifles
Commands held2nd/95th Rifles
C-in-C Jamaica (1834)
C-in-C Cork District
Battles/warsFourth Anglo-Mysore War
Peninsular War
Battle of Waterloo
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order
Spouse(s)Elizabeth Noble

Early life

Norcott was born at Westminster, London, the only child of Lieutenant Amos Norcott of the Green Horse Regiment and Henrietta Gordon.[1] He was born after the death of his father, who died en route to Barbados.[2] He entered the British Army in 1793, joining the 33rd Foot Regiment as a second lieutenant and serving on the staff of his great-uncle, Robert Cuninghame, 1st Baron Rossmore, the Commander-in-Chief of Ireland.[3]

Military career

Norcott later served with his regiment in India. During his time there, he became friends with Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington), who helped him pay off his gambling debts.[4] In 1802 Norcott transferred into the newly formed 95th Rifles and served with them throughout the Peninsular War. Despite being wounded at the Battle of Corunna,[3] he was promoted to the rank of acting lieutenant colonel and he commanded the six companies of 2nd/95th at the Battle of Waterloo.[5] During the battle, he was badly wounded again;[4] for his actions he was later invested as a Companion of the Order of the Bath.[6]

His lieutenant colonelcy was confirmed on 9 September 1819 with the brevet rank of full colonel of the 8th Foot Regiment.[7] He then became a major general in July 1830.[8]

On 13 September 1831, Norcott was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order in a ceremony at St James's Palace. In 1834, he served as acting Governor of Jamaica before later becoming commander of the Cork District where he died at Marysboro House on 8 January 1838.[3]

Family

Amos Norcott married Elizabeth Noble, of Yorkshire, on 14 November 1801, and had three sons:

Notes

  1. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538–1975
  2. Barbados, Church Records, 1637–1849
  3. "The History of Maunsell and Other Families". The Internet Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  4. Peter Conole. "Superintendent Charles Norcott". policewahistory.org.au. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  5. Sir William H. Cope, Bart, The History of the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own) formerly the 95th, Chatto and Windus, 1877. Page 205.
  6. "No. 17061". The London Gazette. 16 September 1815. p. 1881.
  7. "No. 17519". The London Gazette. 25 September 1819. p. 1700.
  8. "No. 18709". The London Gazette. 23 July 1830. p. 1535.

Sources

Government offices
Preceded by
Constantine Phipps
Governor of Jamaica, acting
1834
Succeeded by
George Cuthbert, acting

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