John Rous, 2nd Earl of Stradbroke

John Edward Cornwallis Rous
2nd Earl of Stradbroke

"Suffolk", a caricature by "Ape" published in Vanity Fair in 1875.

"Suffolk", a caricature by "Ape" published in Vanity Fair in 1875.
Born 13 March 1794
Darsham, Suffolk
Died 27 January 1886 (aged 91)
Henham Park, Suffolk
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1810–1821
Rank Captain
Unit
Battles/wars
Relations Admiral Henry John Rous (brother)

John Edward Cornwallis Rous, 2nd Earl of Stradbroke (13 February 1794 27 January 1886) was a British soldier and nobleman.[1]

Biography

He was the eldest son of the 6th Baronet and 1st Earl of Stradbroke. He joined the Army at the age of 16, being gazetted as an ensign in the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards on 30 June 1810.[2]

During the Peninsular War, he took part in the battles of Salamanca, Burgos, Vittoria and San Sebastian. He was present at the crossing of the Bidassoa, at the Nivelle and Nive, the crossing of the Ardour and the invasion of Bayonne.[3] On 4 May 1814 he was promoted to Lieutenant.[4]

Rous returned to the family estate, Henham Park, for 12 months leave, but was ordered to rejoin his regiment in Brussels following Napoleon's escape from Elba in March 1815. While serving in Wellington's campaign in Belgium, Rous was wounded at Quatre Bras and so did not take part in Napoleon's defeat two days later at Waterloo.[3]

On 6 November 1817 he transferred to the 93rd Regiment of Foot with the rank of Captain.[5] Rous retired from the Army in 1821.[6]

His military service earned him the Military General Service Medal with five clasps.[3]

After the death his father in August 1827[7] he became the 2nd Earl of Stradbroke. He pursued an active life as a peer and politician,[3] also serving as the Colonel of the East Suffolk Regiment of Militia from 1830 to 1844,[6] and as Lord Lieutenant and the Vice-Admiral of Suffolk, 1844–1886.[3]

Family

On 26 May 1857 he married Augusta Bonham (1830–1901), the widow of Colonel Henry Frederick Bonham, and the daughter of the Reverend Sir Christopher John Musgrave, 9th Bt.,[8] by whom he had six children:

Augusta, Countess of Stradbroke died suddenly, during a visit to her daughter Lady Hilda McNeill, 10 October 1901.[9]

Publications

References

  1. Jenkins, Nicholas (2013). "John Edward Cornwallis Rous 2nd Earl of Stradbroke". stanford.edu. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 16382. p. 938. 26 June 1810.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "The Rous Family History". henhampark.com. 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  4. The London Gazette: no. 16897. p. 985. 10 May 1814.
  5. The London Gazette: no. 17309. p. 2416. 29 November 1817.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Stradbroke, Earl of". cracroftspeerage.co.uk. 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  7. Jenkins, Nicholas (2013). "John Rous 1st Earl of Stradbroke". stanford.edu. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  8. Jenkins, Nicholas (2013). "Augusta Musgrave". stanford.edu. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  9. "Obituaries - Augusta, Countess of Stradbroke" The Times (London). Saturday, 12 October 1901. (36584), p. 9.
Honorary titles
Preceded by
The Duke of Grafton
Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk
1844–1886
Succeeded by
The Marquess of Bristol
Vacant
Title last held by
The Marquess of Hertford
Vice-Admiral of Suffolk
1844–1886
Vacant
Title next held by
The Earl of Stradbroke
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
John Rous
Earl of Stradbroke
1827–1886
Succeeded by
George Rous