Sir Colin Halkett

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General Halkett
A passport issued by Halkett

General Sir Colin Halkett (1774–1856) was a British Army officer who became Lieut-Governor of Jersey.

Family

He came from a military family. His father was Major General Frederick Godar Halkett and his younger brother was General Hugh Halkett.

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 in Guernsey. On 28 July 180, a letter of service was issued to Major Halkett (and to Lieutenant Colonel von der Decken) empowering him "to raise a battalion of infantry with an establishment of 459 men" and offering him the rank of Lt-Colonel should he increase the number to 800 men. These men formed the nucleus of what was to become the King's German Legion in December 1803. On 17 November 1803 Halkett was promoted to Lt-Colonel and given command of the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion. This Battalion was involved in Cathcart's expeditions to Hanover, Rügen and Copenhagen.

In 1811 he was given command of the Light Brigade of the King's German Legion. He held this command throughout the Peninsular War from Albuera to Toulouse. On 1 January 1812 he was promoted to Colonel. At the Battle of Salamanca (22 July 1812), he commanded 1st Brigade of the 7th Division under Major General Hope.

He was promoted to Major General on 4 June 1814.

On 18 June 1815, at the Battle of Waterloo, he commanded the 5th Brigade in the 3rd Division, under the command of Major General Carl von Alten. He was wounded four times during the course of the battle.

Jersey

Halkett became Lieut-Governor of Jersey in 1821 and was the first Lieut-Governor to reside in the St Saviour Government House. During this time he married Letitia Cricket, widow of Captain Tyle of the Royal Artillery. They had a son, Frederick, on 10 June 1826.

Sir Colin was promoted to Lieut-General on 22 July 1830 and appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army in January 1832. He was Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 1849 until his death in 1856.

He was appointed colonel of the 71st Regiment of Foot on 21 September 1829. On 28 March 1838 he was removed to the 31st Regiment of Foot, and to the 45th Regiment of Foot on 12 July 1847.

Two streets in Saint Helier, Halkett Place and Halkett Street are named after him.

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