James Hay (British Army officer)

Lieutenant-general James Hay CB (?-25 February 1854) was a British Army officer] who saw service during the Peninsular War and the Waterloo Campaign.

Life

He was born in Braco, Scotland the son of John Hay[1] and joined the 16th Light Dragoons as a cornet on 10 June 1795. He was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant on 4 March 1795; to Captain on 28 February 1799; to Major on 2 January 1812 and to Lieutenant-colonel on 18 February 1813.[2]

During the Peninsular War, Hay was present at the battles of Vittoria and the Nive for which he received the Army Gold Medal with one clasp.[2] He had his arm broken at the Battle of Salamanca.[3] In one engagement he led his regiment against the Lancers de Berg during which 70 enemy men and a squadron chief were captured.[1]

On 22  June 1815, on the recommendation of Wellington, he was appointed a Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath (CB) for his services at Quatre Bras and Waterloo.[4] He was so seriously injured at Waterloo that he could not be moved from the field for eight days.[3]

Hay was given the colonelcy of the 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron Highlanders) from 1849 to his death. [5] He died at his seat near Kilburn, County Longford on 25 February 1854.[3]

Family

He married Mary Elizabeth Guthrie (1789-1850), daughter of Dr Matthew Guthrie.[6]

References

Bibliography
Military offices
Preceded by
Sir James Macdonnell
Colonel of the 79th Regiment of Foot (Cameron Highlanders)
1849–1854
Succeeded by
Sir William Henry Sewell
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