Field Marshal Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond KG

Charles Lennox was born on 22 Feb 1735, the son of the 2nd Duke of Richmond and his wife Sarah, daughter of the 1st Earl Cadogan. He was commissioned into the 2nd Foot Guards in 1752 and the following year was a captain in the 20th Foot. In June 1756 he was a lieutenant-colonel in the 33rd Foot. They formed a second battalion in 1757 and he commanded it when it became the 72nd Foot. He took part in the Raid on Cherbourg in 1758 and was ADC to Prince Frederick of Brunswick at Minden in Aug 1759. He was promoted to major-general on 9 Mar 1761.
He was also a politician, appointed Southern Secretary in Rockingham’s Whig administration. He was called the Radical Duke for his anti-colonial stance, and supported the American colonists during the War of Independence. He was appointed Knight of the Garter in April 1782, and Master-General of the Ordnance in 1782, but relinquished the post in1783 when the Fox-North coalition came to power. He was re-appointed from 1784 to 1795 when Pitt the Younger was PM. During this period of office he started a survey of the south coast which led to the formation of the Ordnance Survey. He also brought about the raising of the Royal Horse Artillery in 1793. He encouraged them to camp and train at his home at Goodwood in Sussex.
It was at this time he changed his politics and became a Tory, declaring his opposition to reform. But his previous radical proposals were cited in a court case and he was dismissed from the government because of his embarrassing past speeches and writings. He reached the rank of field marshal on 30 July 1796 and was Colonel of the Royal Horse Guards from 18 July 1795. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in Dec 1755 and was a patron of the arts. He built the racecourse at Goodwood. His marriage to Lady Mary Bruce, daughter of the Earl of Ailesbury produced no children but he did have 3 illegitimate children by his housekeeper. He died at Goodwood on 29 Dec 1806.

Regimental Details | Master Generals of the Ordinance