James Grant | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1778 Middlesex, England |
| Died | 5 April 1852 (aged 74) Colham Green, Hillingdon, Middlesex, England |
| Buried | St Mary's Church, Hayes, Middlesex |
| Allegiance | Great Britain |
| Service/ | Army |
| Years of service | 1797–1852 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | CB |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Penelope Blencowe
(m. 1817) |
Major-General James Grant CB (1778 – 5 April 1852) was born in Middlesex about 1778, the son of James Grant of Dalvey, of the line of the Baronets Grant of Dalvey, Elgin, themselves an offshoot of Grant of Grant. His father was an official of the East India Company and served in India for many years before retiring to Vache Park, Buckinghamshire and later to Goldington Grange, Hertfordshire. His actual mother is not yet known, although his step-mother was Harriet Montagu, daughter of the 5th Earl of Sandwich.
He joined the Army in 1797 and served 5 years in India with the 25th Regiment of Foot. He saw action at the Battle of Mallavelly, Siege of Seringapatam and at Doondia. At the storming of the fort of Turnioul, he volunteered and led the assault with fifty dismounted dragoons. Over the course of 3 years, he took part in the capture of more than 15 fortresses. By 1806, he was serving with the 21st Fusiliers during the Sicilian campaign, which concluded the War of the Third Coalition with the Battle of Maida. For 1807–1811, he returned to India with the 17th Light Dragoons. He returned to Europe in 1811 and joined the 18th Hussars, within the army under the Duke of Wellington. He saw action at the Battle of Toulouse and the Battle of Waterloo. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, with effect from the date of Waterloo. He married shortly afterwards and spent his time between France and Hillingdon, where he leased nearby Hayes Park House from 1829 to 1843. The extended Grant family appear several times in the autobiography of their neighbour, Anthony Trollope.[1] Grant was promoted to Colonel in 1837 and to Major-General in 1846. He was appointed Governor of Scarborough Castle and was created Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.)
Throughout these years, he attended the annual 'Waterloo Banquet', hosted by the Duke of Wellington at Apsley House on the 18 June each year for soldiers who had fought with him at Waterloo. He was present at the 1851 Banquet. He died at his home in Colham Green,[2] Hillingdon, Middlesex on the 5 April 1852,[3] was buried at St Mary's Church, Hayes, and was remembered by his former comrades at the 1852 Waterloo Banquet, shortly ahead of the Duke's own death.
On 6 October 1817 at St Mary's Church, Hayes, Middlesex, he married:
His widow died 18 February 1861 and was buried 25 February 1861 at St Margaret's Church, Uxbridge.