Sir Ralph Abercromby - Biography

Soldier and hero of the Napoleonic Wars, born in Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, C Scotland, UK. He went to Rugby School, studied law at Edinburgh and Leipzig, served in Europe in the Seven Years' War (1756–63), and was MP for Clackmannanshire (1774–80). He led successful operations against the French in St Lucia and Trinidad (1795–6), and also led the successful amphibious operation of the Anglo-Turkish forces against the French at Aboukir Bay in 1801, but was mortally wounded in the action.

Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, KB (sometimes spelled Abercrombie) (October 7, 1734 – March 28, 1801) was a British lieutenant-general noted for his services during the Napoleonic Wars.

Biography

Early life

He was the eldest son of George Abercromby of Tullibody, Clackmannanshire.

On returning from the continent he expressed a strong preference for the military profession, and a cornet's commission was accordingly obtained for him (March 1756) in the 3rd Dragoon Guards.

Up to this time, he had scarcely been engaged in active service, and this was due mainly to his disapproval of the policy of the government, and especially to his sympathies with the American colonists in their struggles for independence.

War service

However, when France declared war against Great Britain in 1793, he hastened to resume his professional duties. Being esteemed one of the ablest and most intrepid officers in the whole British forces, he was appointed to the command of a brigade under the Duke of York, for service in the Netherlands. The duty fell to him of protecting the British army in its disastrous retreat out of Holland, in the winter of 1794–1795.

The same year he was appointed to succeed Sir Charles Grey, as commander-in-chief of the British forces in the West Indies. Abercromby afterwards obtained possession of the settlements of Demerara and Essequibo, in South America, and of the islands of Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Trinidad. On April 17, 1797, Abercromby, with a force of 7,000-13,000 men , which included German mercenary soldiers and Royal Marines and a 60 to 64 ship armada, invaded the island of Puerto Rico. On April 30, after two weeks of fierce combat, which included prolonged artillery exchanges and even hand to hand combat, unable to overcome San Juan's first line of defense, Abercromby withdrew.

Abercromby returned to Europe, and, in reward for his important services, was appointed colonel of the regiment of Scots Greys, entrusted with the governments of the Isle of Wight, Fort-George and Fort-Augustus, and raised to the rank of lieutenant-general. There he laboured to maintain the discipline of the army, to suppress the rising rebellion, and to protect the people from military oppression, with the care worthy of a great general and an enlightened and beneficent statesman. When he was appointed to the command in Ireland, an invasion of that country by the French was confidently anticipated by the British government.

After holding for a short period the office of commander-in-chief in Scotland, Sir Ralph, when the enterprise against the Dutch Batavian Republic was resolved upon in 1799, was again called to command under the duke of York.

His country applauded the choice when, in 1801, he was sent with an army to dispossess the French of Egypt. His experience in the Netherlands and the West Indies particularly fitted him for this new command, as was proved by his carrying his army in health, in spirits and with the requisite supplies, in spite of very great difficulties, to the destined scene of action.

Death

A battle in the neighbourhood of Alexandria (March 21, 1801) was the sequel of this successful landing, and it was Abercromby's fate to fall in the moment of victory.

His old friend and commander the Duke of York paid a tribute to the soldier's memory in general orders: "His steady observance of discipline, his ever-watchful attention to the health and wants of his troops, the persevering and unconquerable spirit which marked his military career, the splendour of his actions in the field and the heroism of his death, are worthy the imitation of all who desire, like him, a life of heroism and a death of glory." He was buried in the Commandery of the Grand Master, the Knights of St John, Malta

By a vote of the House of Commons, a monument was erected in his honour in St Paul's cathedral. His widow was created Baroness Abercromby of Tullibody and Aboukir Bay, and a pension of £2000 a year was settled on her and her two successors in the title.

He had seven children. Anne Abercromby (d. Mary Abercromby (d. Catherine Abercromby (d. May 7, 1842) George Abercromby, 2nd Baron Abercromby (1770–1843) General Hon. Sir John Abercromby (1772–1817) James Abercromby, 1st Baron Dunfermline (1776–1858) Lt.-Col. Alexander Abercromby (1784–1853)