Charles Gold | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 November 1768 Ireland |
| Died | 17 April 1842 (aged 73) Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England |
| Allegiance | British Army |
| Branch | Royal Artillery |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 2nd Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Waterloo |
| Spouse | Anne Kilvington |
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Gold was born in Ireland on 1 November 1768, the son of Captain Richard Gold who was later killed in the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War. [1] He was a passionate painter, his sketches depict the people of the Coromandel coast and Mysore and sites including Tipu Sultan’s palace and tomb. [2]
Gold had served in India between 1791 and 1798, where he sketched scenes that later became his published aquatints. [2] Gold was promoted First Lieutenant on 17 January 1793 and in August of that year took part in the siege and capture of Pondicherry from the French. He also took part in the operations against the Poligar Chief of Manapar in 1795, at the conquest of Ceylon in the same year, and at the capture of Colombo in February 1796. Later that year he went to the Cape of Good Hope, and from thence returned to England. Promoted Captain-Lieutenant on 1 October 1796, he then served in 2 Battalion, R.A., until his next promotion, to Captain, on 11 February 1802, when he took over command of Captain H. Rogers’ Company. [3]
In July 1803, Gold was appointed Garrison Quartermaster of Woolwich Garrison, and he exchanged Companies with Captain H. Phillpott of 7 Battalion, R.A., which Company was stationed in Barbados. Gold was promoted Brevet Major on 25 April 1808, and Major on 30 April 1809. During his period of service in the West Indies, detachments of his Company took part in the expedition against Surinam in 1804, in the defense of Dominica in 1805, and in the attack on Martinique in 1809. In December 1809 he arrived with two Companies as reinforcements to cover the embarkation from Walcheren, arriving just in time to witness the destruction of the Arsenal, and landed for a few hours, going to Flushing and Middleburg, and crossing the Island. Major Gold accompanied the expedition to Holland under Sir Thomas Graham in November 1813, and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in December of the same year. He served at the attack of the French at Merxem and at the bombardment of Antwerp in February 1814. [3]
During the advance of the 2nd Division in the afternoon a French howitzer shell penetrated an ammunition wagon of Charles’ command and exploded its cargo. Few men were hurt, but the horses were horribly mutilated and galloped madly about the field. Later, in a last-ditch attempt to beat the British before turning onto the Prussians, Napoleon sent in his Imperial Guard which advanced upon the British centre. Several regiments of the Imperial Guard Cavalry attacked the 2nd Division. [4] Charles’ guns turned on the Old Guard as it advanced up the ridge, but the Old Guard, even though rocked, stood their ground until the Duke gave the order; “Put every gun to them Sir”. [5] The Middle Guard was stopped, and began to retreat which ended up as a rout, spreading throughout the French Army as the Old Guard was completely destroyed to a man where they stood.Charles survived the battle and was mentioned in despatches. He was appointed a Companion of the Bath on the recommendation of the Duke of Wellington. [3]
He was the father of three sons(who all served in army) and two daughters. Hs was the father of the renowned army officer Charles Emilius Gold. Charles retired his commission in December 1827 due to bad health. He retired to Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, where he lived until his death in 1842. [5]
R.A: -Royal Artillery
Captain-Lieutenant: - Historical military rank, a captain whose company is the colonel's under command company