Colin Halkett
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Sir Colin Halkett GCB, GCH (1774-1856) was a British army officer.
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[edit] Family
Halkett came from a military family. His father was Major-General F.G. Halkett and his younger brother was General Hugh Halkett.
[edit] Military career
Halkett began his military career in the Dutch Guards and served in various companies for three years, leaving as a captain in 1795.
From 1800 to 1801 he commanded Dutch troops on the Island of Guernsey. On 28th of July 1803 Major Halkett a letter of service was issued Halkett (and to Lieutenant-colonel von der Decken)empowering him to raise a battalion of infantry with an establishment of four hundred and fifty-nine men and offering him the rank of lieutenant-colonel, should he increase the number to eight hundred men.[1]. These men, that formed the nucleus, of what was to become the King's German Legion in December 1803. On November 17, 1803 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and given command of the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion. This Battalion was involved in Cathcart's expeditions to Hanover, Rügen and Copenhagen.
[edit] Peninsula War
In 1811 he was given command of the Light Brigade of the Kings German Legion. He held this command throughout the Peninsula War from Albuera to Toulouse. On January 1, 1812 he was promoted to Colonel. On July 22, 1812 At the Battle of Salamanca he commanded 1st Brigade of the 7th Division. The 7th was commanded by Major-General Hope.
Halkett was promoted to Major-General on 4 June 1814.
1815 June 18, at the Battle of Waterloo he commanded the 5th Brigade in the 3rd Division which was under the command of Major-General Carl von Alten. He was wounded four times during the course of the battle.
[edit] Governor
Between 1821 and 1830 he was Lieutenant Governor of Jersey and the first to reside in the St Saviour Government House, still in use today. During this time he married Letitia Cricket, a widow of Captain Tyle of the Royal Artillery. He had a son, Frederick (John) Colin Halkett, on 10 June 1826.
Two streets in Saint Helier are named after him.
1830 July 22 he was promoted to Lieutenant-General.
Sir Colin died in 1856. At the time of his death he was governor of Chelsea Hospital.
[edit] Honorary Distinctions
- Britain
- Gold Cross for Albuera, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nive
- GCB
- Waterloo Medal
- Hanover
- Portugal
- Order of the Tower and Sword 2nd rank
- Bavaria
- Order of Maximilian Joseph 2nd rank
- Netherlands
- Military Order of William 2nd rank [2]
| Unit | Commander | Number of Men |
| 1st Brigade | Colonel Sir Colin Halkett | |
| 1st Light Battalions King’s German Legion | ||
| 2nd Light Battalions King’s German Legion | ||
| 7 Cos Brunswick Oels |
| Unit | Commander | Number of Men |
| 5th Brigade | Major General Sir Colin Halkett | 2,274 |
| II/30th Foot Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel Bailey | 635 |
| 33rd Foot Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel Elphinstone | 576 |
| II/69th Foot Regiment | Major Muttlebury | 565 |
| II/73rd Foot Regiment | Lieutenant Colonel Harris | 498 |
[edit] References
[edit] Literature
- N. Ludlow Beamish; History of the King's German Legion Vol 1. 1832-37 (new edition: Naval and Military Press 1997 ISBN 0-952201-10-0)
- N. Ludlow Beamish; History of the King's German Legion Vol 2. 1832-37 (new edition: Naval and Military Press 1997 ISBN 0-952201-10-0)
- Mike Chappell; The King's German Legion (2) 1812-1816. Osprey 2000 ISBN 1-85532-997-2
