Thomas Bligh
Encyclopedia
Thomas Bligh was a British
soldier
, best known for his service during the Seven Years' War
when he led a series of amphibious raids, known as "descents" on the French coastline. Despite initial success in these operations, they came to an end following the disastrous Battle of St Cast
.
and his wife Elizabeth nee Napier. During his long service in the British army, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General
. In 1745, during the War of the Austrian Succession
, as a Brigadier, he took over command of allied troops at the battle of Melle
and led part of the defeated force to safety. In 1758 he was appointed to command the descents, at the age of seventy three. He led an initial successful Raid on Cherbourg
in August September 1758, capturing and destroying the town's fortifications. He then re-embarked and moved along the coast to St Malo. There, confronted with adverse weather conditions, they were able only to land some of their force, which was soon confronted by a larger French force with had hurriedly marched there from Brest
. In the scramble to get his men back onto the ships, Bligh fought a confused rearguard action, the Battle of Saint Cast
suffering between 750-1000 casualties before he was finally able to re-embark his men. They then sailed for England.
Bligh was poorly treated when he returned home. King George II
refused to receive him, considered an enormous slight, and he came under fierce criticism from all sides. One of the few to stand up for Bligh was the young Prince of Wales
, later George III, who chastised both the Prime Minister Duke of Newcastle and his ally William Pitt
for not defending Bligh.
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
, best known for his service during the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
when he led a series of amphibious raids, known as "descents" on the French coastline. Despite initial success in these operations, they came to an end following the disastrous Battle of St Cast
Battle of Saint Cast
The Battle of Saint Cast was a military engagement during the Seven Years War on the French coast between British Naval and Land expeditionary forces and French coastal defence forces....
.
Career
Bligh was born in 1685, the son of Irish politician, Thomas BlighThomas Bligh (1654–1710)
Thomas Bligh was an Irish politician.He was elected to the Irish House of Commons as Member of Parliament for Athboy, from 1692 to 1693, then for County Meath from 1695 to 1699 and 1703 to 1710....
and his wife Elizabeth nee Napier. During his long service in the British army, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
. In 1745, during the War of the Austrian Succession
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
, as a Brigadier, he took over command of allied troops at the battle of Melle
Battle of Melle
The Battle of Melle was a small meeting engagement fought on 9 July 1745, during the War of the Austrian Succession, between forces of the Pragmatic Allies and the French following the battle of Fontenoy that would have serious consequences for the Pragmatic Army of the allies and Flanders...
and led part of the defeated force to safety. In 1758 he was appointed to command the descents, at the age of seventy three. He led an initial successful Raid on Cherbourg
Raid on Cherbourg
The Raid on Cherbourg took place in August 1758 during the Seven Year's War when a British force was landed on the coast of France by the Royal Navy with the intention of attacking the town of Cherbourg as part of the British government's policy of "descents" on the French Coast.-Background:Since...
in August September 1758, capturing and destroying the town's fortifications. He then re-embarked and moved along the coast to St Malo. There, confronted with adverse weather conditions, they were able only to land some of their force, which was soon confronted by a larger French force with had hurriedly marched there from Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
. In the scramble to get his men back onto the ships, Bligh fought a confused rearguard action, the Battle of Saint Cast
Battle of Saint Cast
The Battle of Saint Cast was a military engagement during the Seven Years War on the French coast between British Naval and Land expeditionary forces and French coastal defence forces....
suffering between 750-1000 casualties before he was finally able to re-embark his men. They then sailed for England.
Bligh was poorly treated when he returned home. King George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
refused to receive him, considered an enormous slight, and he came under fierce criticism from all sides. One of the few to stand up for Bligh was the young Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
, later George III, who chastised both the Prime Minister Duke of Newcastle and his ally William Pitt
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham PC was a British Whig statesman who led Britain during the Seven Years' War...
for not defending Bligh.