5th Dragoon Guards


Charles Butler, 1st Earl of Arran


Charles Butler was from a distinguished Irish family, his grandfather being James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, and his elder brother, James being the 2nd Duke. When his brother died in 1745 he became the 3rd Duke of Ormonde but was unaware of the inheritance because his brother was in exile due to accusations of Jacobite treason.

Charles Butler was born on 4th Sep 1671, and died on 17th Dec 1758. His title of 1st Earl of Arran was a second creation. He was 26 when, in 1697, he was appointed colonel of the regiment of horse that became the 5th Dragoon Guards. In 1703 he left the colonelcy to become colonel of the 3rd Troop of Horse Guards which post he held until 1715. He also held the appointment of Master-General of the Ordnance from 1712 to 1714. He reached the rank of Lieutenant-General. Horace Walpole described him as an inoffensive old man. He died at his lodgings at Whitehall in December 1758 and buried at St Margaret's Church, Westminster.


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by Stephen Luscombe