General Henry Robinson-Montagu, 6th Lord Rokeby GCB


The Hon Henry Robinson-Montagu was the second son of the 4th Baron Rokeby. He was born on 2nd February 1798 at Great Cumberland Place, London. He joined the 3rd Guards in April 1814 and was the newest ensign to fight with the regiment at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. He was promoted to Lieutenant and Captain in 1823. He was adjutant to the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards from 1826 to 1832. On 21st September he purchased the rank of Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel and was made Brevet Colonel in 1846. He became a Major in 1850 and was Commanding Officer for three months in 1854. At the outbreak of the Crimean War he was made a Major-General and commanded the 1st Division. He was appointed Colonel of the 77th Foot in 1861 and became a General in 1869. His appointment to be Colonel of the Scots Guards came in 1875 in the same year that he was awarded the GCB (Knight Grand Cross of the Bath).

He was married in 1826 to a young widow called Magdalen Croft, daughter of Lt-Col Thomas Huxley. He took on the title of 6th Baron Rokeby on the death of his elder brother in April 1847. Henry died at the age of 85 on 25th May 1883 at Stratford Place, London and was buried in Clewer churchyard.

The portrait, by Drahonet, is dated 1832, showing him as adjutant in the rank of Captain. His uniform is full dress levee order. The trousers with the gold stripe were only worn at levees, at all other times trousers with a red stripe were worn. His sash is the state sash of gold and crimson. The medal is for Waterloo. The bearskin has a gilt chin-chain and has gold tassels on the right. At this stage a white plume is on the left (not seen in this picture), until it was discontinued a few years later. On the front of the head-dress is a crown and thistle badge. See Bearskin Badge 1832.


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by Stephen Luscombe