James Freeth
British Army general (1786–1867)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
General Sir James Freeth KCB KH (5 March 1786 – 19 January 1867) was Quartermaster-General to the Forces.
Sir James Freeth | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 March 1786 Edgbaston, Warwickshire |
| Died | 19 January 1867 (aged 80) London, England[1] |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Service years | 1806–1867 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | Royal Staff Corps |
| Commands | Quartermaster-General to the Forces |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Military General Service Medal |
Military career
Freeth was commissioned into the 98th Regiment of Foot in 1806.[2] He served in the Peninsular War and in France from 1809 to 1814[2] and, in 1851, was appointed Quartermaster-General to the Forces.[3] He went on to be Colonel of the 64th Regiment of Foot in 1855.[4]
He was promoted Lieutenant-General in 1858[5] and full General in 1865.[6]
Family
He married Harriett Holt and together they went on to have six sons and two daughters.[7] Three of his sons became major-generals; his great-grandchild, Francis Arthur Freeth, was a chemist who developed a number of processes in explosives manufacture and a major in the Territorial Army.[8] Another of his great-grandchildren, George Douglas Freeth Junior, renewed interest in surfing in Hawaii at the turn of the twentieth century, helped popularize the sport in California beginning in 1907, and created the foundation of Southern California's lifeguard service.[9]