Bartholomew Girdwood

Bartholomew Girdwood is a British Army Officer, first Commanding Officer of the Prince of Wales' Own Volunteers and character in "Sharpe's Regiment" by Bernard Cornwell.

Girdwood was a captain serving in Ireland during the United Irish rebellion of 1798. Whilst leading a patrol he got lost and was ambushed by rebels. A court of inquiry at Dublin Castle found him guilty and he was sent home on half pay.

Some time after Talavera Girdwood met the festering Sir Henry Simmerson who agreed that he was unfairly dismissed and suggested that he, in return for selling recruits to other regiments, would buy Girdwood the lieutenant colonelcy of the South Essex Regiment's Second Battalion based in Chelmsford. By 1813, Major Richard Sharpe of the First Battalion needs new recruits and returns to Chelmsford looking for the Second Battalion. Girdwood, on orders of Lord Simon Fenner, Secretary of State at War, moves the recruits and guard companies of the Second Battalion to the island of Foulness for better security. Girdwood's technique is based on those of the Prussian king Frederick The Great, and his sergeants are vicious in the methods they use. Girdwood harbours a fear of Irishmen, backed by his anglicised Irish sergeant John Lynch, and of dogs. These make him insecure.

When Richard Sharpe uncovers the plot he confines Girdwood to his quarters. Girdwood manages to escape and finds Simmerson. When the plot is shown to the Prince Regent, Girdwood, at Sharpe's instigation, becomes the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion of the Prince of Wales' Own Volunteers (as the South Essex Regiment has recently renamed). In reality, Girdwood is a figurehead and Sharpe leads the Battalion. Girdwood 'leads' the Battalion into battle in the Pyrenees, but suffers a breakdown and is found reciting poetry. He is appalled by the true face of warfare. He is likely to have been sent home to England.