General Christopher Chowne, born Christopher Tilson and known as Christopher Tilson-Chowne, was a British Army officer most notable for his service in the Peninsular War.
19 Facts About Christopher Chowne
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Christopher Chowne joined the army in 1788 and after periods of service in the 23rd Regiment of Foot and an Independent Company, he became lieutenant-colonel of the 99th Regiment of Foot in 1794.
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The 99th were disbanded in 1797, and Chowne joined instead the 44th Regiment of Foot in 1799.
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Christopher Chowne commanded the regiment at the battles of Abukir and Mandora in the British campaign in Egypt in 1801.
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Christopher Chowne was promoted to major-general in 1808 and in the following year began serving in the Peninsular War.
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Christopher Chowne commanded a brigade in a column commanded by William Carr Beresford that unsuccessfully attempted to cut off the French army after the Second Battle of Porto, and then resigned his command because of disagreements with Portuguese units in the force.
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Christopher Chowne was then given a brigade in Rowland Hill's 2nd Division with which he fought at the Battle of Talavera and temporarily commanded the division when Hill was injured.
8.
Christopher Chowne returned to England as a staff officer in 1810 but re-joined the 2nd Division as its acting commanding officer "under Hill" in 1812.
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Christopher Chowne commanded a diversionary column at the Battle of Almaraz but by the end of 1812 had relinquished his command.
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Long thought of as an incompetent officer who lacked energy and ability, Christopher Chowne was recalled from the Iberian Peninsula for the last time in December 1812 and did not see action again.
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Christopher Chowne was promoted to general in 1830 and died four years later in London.
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Christopher Chowne Tilson was born in 1771, the son of the banker John Tilson of Watlington Park and his wife Maria Lushington.
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Christopher Chowne was with the regiment in the West Indies during 1796, when the Dutch colonies of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice agreed to surrender to the British.
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Christopher Chowne was promoted to major-general on 25 April 1808 and in March 1809 was sent to serve on the staff of the army in the Iberian Peninsula fighting the Peninsular War.
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Christopher Chowne commanded the division "under Hill", and because of this was employed away from his division for periods during this time; however he was present with the division, and Hill, at the Battle of Almaraz.
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Christopher Chowne commanded the left-most of Hill's columns, tasked with making a diversionary attack on the fortress of Mirabete, 4 miles south-west of the bridge.
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Christopher Chowne relinquished his position within the 2nd Division in November or December 1812 and on 6 December he left the peninsula for the final time when Wellesley, now Lord Wellington, requested his recall from the theatre.
18.
Christopher Chowne's recall was timed so that he was not present with the army on 4 June 1813, when he received his full promotion to lieutenant-general and may have been required to fulfil more important duties than he had previously.
19.
Christopher Chowne was promoted to general in 1830 and died four years later on 15 July 1834, at his house in Eaton Place, Pimlico.