James Webber Smith

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Webber_Smith

Lieutenant-General James Webber Smith CB (c. 1778–1853) was a British Royal Artillery officer during the Napoleonic Wars.

Smith received his commission as First Lieutenant, 3 October 1795. He was promoted to Captain Lieutenant in 1802, to Second Captain in 1804, and to Captain in 1806. He was present at the capture of Minorca in 1798, and at the siege of Malta in 1800, the defence of Porto Ferrajo in 1802, and in the expedition to Walcheren and siege of Flushing.

Smith fought in the Peninsula War. Joining Wellington's army in January 1813 he attained the brevet rank of Major in June 1813 the same monthe as he fought at Battle of Vittoria. He was present at the siege of San Sebastian (July–September 1813). In September he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He fought at the passage of the Bidassoa (October 1813) and the Nive (December 1813), before returning to England in May 1814.

In 1815 he fought in the Waterloo Campaign including the Battle of Waterloo, and the storming of Cambary during the advance on Paris.

He received the gold medal and one clasp for Vittoria and San Sebastian, and the silver war medal with two clasps for Nivelle and Nive. Altogether he had two medals and eight clasps, as well as the Companionship of the Bath.

In 1824 he became a regimental Major, in 1825 regimental Lieutenant Colonel, in 1830 brevet Colonel, in 1837 regimental Colonel, in 1841 Major General. He was for some time Director-General of Artillery, which office he resigned on being appointed Colonel Commandant of the 4th battalion, in 1848. In 1851 he attained the rank of Lieutenant-General and in 1853 he died in Brighton in his 75th year.

Family

Smith married Eleanora Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Simeon, 1st Baronet and Rebecca Cornwall, on 12 October 1807 at St. Marylebone, London, England.