List of Cornish soldiers, commanders and sailors
Encyclopedia
Army and Air Force officers and other ranks
- Robert DaviesRobert Davies (GC)Lieutenant Robert Davies distinguished himself during the Second World War with the Royal Engineers and was awarded the George Cross for the heroism he displayed in defusing a bomb which threatened to destroy St Paul's Cathedral on September 12, 1940.Davies was born in Newlyn, Cornwall, the son...
, Lieutenant of the Royal EngineersRoyal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
awarded the G.C.George CrossThe George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
for bomb-disposal in 1940 saving St. Paul's Cathedral. - John EnysJohn EnysLieutenant Colonel John Enys was a British Army officer who served during the American Revolution.-Family and education:...
, British soldier during the American Revolution. - James Fynn VC, British soldier
- Captain Albert JackaAlbert JackaAlbert Jacka VC, MC & Bar was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces...
VC, MC and Bar, the first Australian to win the VC at Gallipoli (his family migrated to Victoria from St BuryanSt BuryanSt Buryan is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, United Kingdom.The village of St Buryan is situated approximately five miles west of Penzance along the B3283 towards Land's End...
) - Rick RescorlaRick RescorlaCyril Richard "Rick" Rescorla was a retired United States Army officer of British birth who served with distinction in Northern Rhodesia as a member of the Northern Rhodesia Police and as a soldier in the Vietnam War as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army...
, U.S. war hero and 9/11 victim (1939–2001) - Sergeant Steven Roberts, the first solder to die in the invasion of Iraq
- Captain George SymonsGeorge SymonsGeorge Symons VC DCM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
VC, DCM, artillery officer - Sir John Trelawny, 1st BaronetSir John Trelawny, 1st BaronetSir John Trelawny, 1st Baronet was a Cornish baronet and soldier from Trelawne, Cornwall. He was High Sheriff of Cornwall.-Parliament:...
, soldier in the English Civil War - Arthur TremayneArthur TremayneArthur Tremayne was a Crimean War soldier and Cornish MP.-Personal life:Arthur Tremayne, born on 15 May 1827, was the son of John Hearle Tremayne , MP, and his wife, Caroline Matilda Lemon, the daughter of Sir William Lemon MP, and the sister of Sir Charles Lemon MP...
, soldier in the Crimean War - Captain Robert WallingRobert WallingRobert Victor Walling was a Cornish soldier, journalist, and poet.-Early life:He was born in Plymouth on 5 March 1895, the son of Robert Alfred John Walling and his wife, Florence Victoria, née Greet....
, Royal Garrison Artillery
Airmen
- Wing CommanderWing Commander (rank)Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
Guy GibsonGuy GibsonWing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, RAF , was the first CO of the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron, which he led in the "Dam Busters" raid in 1943, resulting in the destruction of two large dams in the Ruhr area...
of The DambustersNo. 617 Squadron RAFNo. 617 Squadron is a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. It currently operates the Tornado GR4 in the ground attack and reconnaissance role...
. - Charles ReepCharles ReepThorold Charles Reep was a football analyst credited with creating the long ball game which has characterized English football...
, airman and inventor of the long ball in soccer - Geoffrey Wellum, DFC, fighter pilot and author
Commanders
- Sir John ArundellJohn Arundell (born 1576)Sir John Arundell , nicknamed "Jack for the King", was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1597 and 1640. He was Royalist governor of Pendennis Castle during the English Civil War....
, Cornish RoyalistCavalierCavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
commander - Sir Walter Gilbert, 1st BaronetSir Walter Gilbert, 1st BaronetGeneral Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert, first baronet was an army officer in the British East India Company.-Life:...
, general - Bevil GrenvilleBevil GrenvilleSir Bevil Grenville was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England between 1621 and 1642. He was a Royalist soldier in the English Civil War and was killed in action at the Battle of Lansdowne.-Backgound:...
, Cornish Royalist commander - Sir Richard Grenville, 1st BaronetSir Richard Grenville, 1st BaronetSir Richard Grenville, 1st Baronet was a Cornish Royalist leader during the English Civil War.He was the third son of Sir Bernard Grenville , and a grandson of the famous seaman, Sir Richard Grenville...
(or Granville) (1600–1658), CornishCornwallCornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
RoyalistCavalierCavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
leader during the English Civil WarEnglish Civil WarThe English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists... - Philip MelvillPhilip MelvillPhilip Melvill was a nineteenth century philanthropist of Falmouth, Cornwall .He was born in 1762 in Dunbar, in East Lothian on the southeast coast of Scotland.-Military service:...
, Governor of Pendennis Castle, Falmouth - William ScawenWilliam ScawenWilliam Scawen was a one of the pioneers in the revival of the Cornish Language in England. He was a politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1640 and fought for the Royalist cause in the English Civil War....
, Royalist commander in the English Civil War - Richard TrantRichard TrantGeneral Sir Richard Brooking Trant, KCB, DL was an officer in the British Army. He was Land Deputy Commander in the Falklands War, and served as Quartermaster-General to the Forces from 1983 to 1986....
(d. 2007), general in the British army - John TrevanionJohn TrevanionJohn Trevanion was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England from 1640 to 1643. He was a royalist officer who was killed in action in the English Civil War....
, Cornish RoyalistCavalierCavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
commander - John Johns Trigg, officer in the Virginia militia, American Civil War
- Stephen TriggStephen TriggStephen Trigg was an American pioneer and soldier from Virginia. He was killed ten months after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in one of the last battles of the American Revolution while leading the Lincoln County, Virginia militia unit at the Battle of Blue Licks in present-day...
, brother of John, politician and officer in the Virginia militia, American Civil War - David TyackeDavid TyackeDavid Noel Hugh Tyacke, CB, OBE, , was a senior British Army officer. His last post was as General Officer Commanding the Singapore District and he had previously been the last commanding officer of 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry prior to amalgamation into the Somerset and...
, GOCGeneral Officer CommandingGeneral Officer Commanding is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, a general might be the GOC II Corps or GOC 7th Armoured Division...
Singapore District, last Commanding Officer of the DCLI - James Howard WilliamsJames Howard WilliamsJames Howard Williams or 'Elephant Bill' was a British soldier and elephant expert in Burma, known for his work with the Fourteenth Army during the Burma Campaign of World War II, and for his 1950 book Elephant Bill...
(Elephant Bill), lieutenant-colonel in the British Indian Army
Seamen
- James EriseyJames EriseyJames Erisey was born at Erisey House near Mullion, in the parish of Grade in Cornwall. He sailed as a privateer with Sir Francis Drake.In 1585 Drake hired James Erisey to captain a man-o-war, following a message from Queen Elizabeth I that "privateers were at liberty to attack Spanish shipping".In...
, privateer - Captain William HennahWilliam HennahCaptain William Hennah, RN, CB was British naval officer, whose largely undistinguished career was suddenly highlighted by his assumption of command of HMS Mars at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 upon the death of that ship's captain, George Duff, who was decapitated by a cannon ball.- Early...
, RN - Robert Peverell HichensRobert Peverell HichensRobert Peverell Hichens DSO & Bar, DSC & Two Bars was the most highly decorated officer of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve , being awarded two Distinguished Service Orders, three Distinguished Service Crosses and three Mentions in Despatches...
, DSO, DSC, lieutenant commander, RNVR - Sir Edward NichollEdward NichollCommander Sir Edward Nicholl, KBE, RNR, MP was a British officer of the Royal Naval Reserve who subsequently became a Conservative Member of Parliament ....
, commander, RNR - William OdgersWilliam OdgersWilliam Odgers VC was a British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
, VC, sailor in New Zealand - Spry familySpry familyThe Spry family has resided for many centuries at Place in the Cornish parish known as St Anthony in Roseland. There are a number of memorials in the church, St Anthony's. The Spry family settled in Cornwall in the early 16th century.-Some notable members:...
, of St Antony in Roseland: several members of the family were commanders in the Royal Navy - James TrevenenJames TrevenenJames Trevenen was an officer in the Royal Navy and the Imperial Russian Navy.Born in Cornwall "of a very respectable family", he was educated at the Royal Naval Academy at Portsmouth and went to sea in 1776 as a midshipman on the Resolution under Captain James Cook, where he assisted Cook as a...
, captain in the Russian Navy - Joseph TrewavasJoseph TrewavasJoseph Trewavas VC CGM was a British) recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
, VC, seaman in the Royal Navy - Mark VersallionMark VersallionCllr Mark Anthony Gaius Versallion is a British politician, businessman, and officer in the Royal Naval Reserve. He was Prospective Member of Parliament for Stretford and Urmston from 2007-09 and from 2009-11 was Chairman of the of the Conservative Party....
, lieutenant, RNR
Admirals
- Sir John ArundellJohn Arundell (admiral)Sir John Arundell of Trerice , nicknamed "Tilbury Jack" , was a commander of the English Royal Navy at the time of King Henry VIII and Edward VI and twice High Sheriff of Cornwall. Arundell served Henry VIII as an Esquire to the Body, and was knighted at the Battle of the Spurs in 1513...
, admiral, known as 'Jack of Tilbury' - William BlighWilliam BlighVice Admiral William Bligh FRS RN was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. A notorious mutiny occurred during his command of HMAV Bounty in 1789; Bligh and his loyal men made a remarkable voyage to Timor, after being set adrift in the Bounty's launch by the mutineers...
, captainCaptain (nautical)A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
of , botanist, governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
admiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... - Edward BoscawenEdward BoscawenAdmiral Edward Boscawen, PC was an Admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament for the borough of Truro, Cornwall. He is known principally for his various naval commands throughout the 18th Century and the engagements that he won, including the Siege of Louisburg in 1758 and Battle of Lagos...
, Royal Navy admiral - Sir Frank HopkinsFrank Hopkins (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir Frank Henry Edward Hopkins KCB, DSO, DSC, , was a naval officer with the Royal Navy.-Naval career:Educated at the Nautical College at Pangbourne in Berkshire, Hopkins joined the Royal Navy in 1927....
, a former captain of the aircraft carrierAircraft carrierAn aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
- Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount ExmouthEdward Pellew, 1st Viscount ExmouthAdmiral Sir Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth, GCB was a British naval officer. He fought during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary, and the Napoleonic Wars...
, Royal Navy admiral - Admiral Barrington ReynoldsBarrington ReynoldsAdmiral Sir Barrington Reynolds, GCB , was a senior and long-serving officer of the British Royal Navy who went to sea with his father aged only nine during the French Revolutionary Wars and was captured by the French aged eleven...
, RN, notable for an anti-slavery expedition - Rear-Admiral Robert Carthew ReynoldsRobert Carthew ReynoldsRear-Admiral Robert Carthew Reynolds was a long serving and widely respected officer of the British Royal Navy who served in four separate major wars in a 52 year career...
, RN - Sir Bartholomew SulivanBartholomew SulivanSir Bartholomew James Sulivan was a British sailor and hydrographer, born at Tregew, Flushing, near Falmouth, Cornwall.He was a leading advocate of the value of nautical surveying in relation to naval operations...
, Royal Navy admiral and hydrographer
See also
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry officersDuke of Cornwall's Light Infantry soldiers