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John Montagu (Royal Navy officer)

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John Montagu
Born1719
Lackham, Wiltshire
Died1795 (aged 75–76)
Fareham, Hampshire
Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
Service/branch Royal Navy
RankAdmiral
Commands heldNorth American Station
Portsmouth Command
Battles/warsWar of the Austrian Succession
American Revolutionary War

Admiral John Montagu (1719–1795) was a naval officer and colonial governor of Newfoundland.

Naval career

He was born in 1719, son of James Montagu of Lackham in Wiltshire (died 1747), and great-grandson of James Montagu of Lackham (1602-1665), third son of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester. [1] Montagu began his naval career in the Royal Naval Academy, Portsmouth on 14 August 1733.[2]

He was promoted lieutenant in 1740 and served on HMS Buckingham and, in 1744, was present at the Battle off Toulon.[2] In 1757 he was present at the execution of Admiral John Byng.[2] Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1770, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station from 1771 to 1774.[2]

He was promoted Vice-Admiral in 1776 and then appointed Governor and commander-in-chief of Newfoundland.[2] Montagu captured St. Pierre and Miquelon for the British and defended Newfoundland from both French and American privateers.[2] By his swift actions he had prevented the French from capturing Carbonear and Harbour Grace.[2]

In 1783 he was made Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.[3] His honorary appointments included Admiral of the Blue in 1782 and Admiral of the White in 1787.[2]

Family

Montagu married Sophia Wroughton on 2 December 1748 and had one daughter and four sons. Of his sons, George and James became naval officers, while Edward became a lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Artillery.

References

  1. ^ Laughton, John Knox (1894). "Montagu, John (1719-1795)" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 38. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Biography at Government House The Governorship of Newfoundland and Labrador
  3. ^ History in Portsmouth

See also

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Huntingdon
1748–1754
With: Edward Montagu 		Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, North American Station
1771–1774 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Commodore Governor of Newfoundland
1776–1778 		Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
1783–1786 		Succeeded by


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