Sir Harry Burrard, 1st Baronet, of Lymington

Sir Harry Burrard, 1st Baronet (1 June 1755 – 17 October 1813) was a British General during the Peninsular War.

An experienced veteran of many British campaigns in America, Flanders and Denmark, Sir Harry Burrard had long since passed his prime when he took over the British army in Portugal from Sir Arthur Wellesley. He was nicknamed "Betty" by his troops. Wellesley was one of the most junior Lieutenant-Generals in the British army, so for reasons of protocol, a more senior officer had to be placed above him. In case Burrard should die, Dalrymple was placed above him!

Burrard stopped Wellesley's pursuit of General Jean-Andoche Junot after Vimiero. It was his only real order during his one day in command of the army. He was replaced the next day by an equally cautious Sir Hew Dalrymple who began negotiations with Junot which led to the infamous Convention of Cintra. Recalled to London for an inquiry into the treaty, Burrard was placed in retirement from active duty.

During his earlier career, Burrard had fought in the American Revolution. He was captured during a raid on the Bruges canal in 1798. He led the 2nd Brigade during the 1799 Anglo-Russian campaign in Holland, fighting at the battles of Bergen, Egmont and Castricum. In 1807, he commanded the 1st Division at the siege of Copenhagen.

His cousin, also named Sir Harry Burrard (1765-1840), was the one to have the Burrard Inlet named after him by his friend Captain George Vancouver in June 1792. Tragically, one of Burrard's sons was killed at the Battle of Corunna and another died in the breach at the Siege of San Sebastian.

ee also

* Burrard

References

* Glover, Michael. "The Peninsular War 1807-1814." Penguin, 1974.
* Smith, Digby. "The Napoleonic Wars Data Book." Greenhill, 1998.
* [http://www.bcfn.org/profile/tsleilwaututh.htm British Columbia First Nations]
* [http://www.napoleonguide.com/burrard.htm Napoleonic Guide]
* [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mymhiwe:@field(DOCID+@lit(mymhiwef897p9m4div9) memory.loc.gov]
* [http://ilmbwww.gov.bc.ca/bcgn-bin/bcg10?name=39270 ilmbwww.gov.bc.ca]
* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p12968.htm#i129673 thepeerage.com]