Major John Blosset, Procer

Major John Blosset (c.1780 - 1820 )

Major John Blosset, Procer

Napoleonic Wars veteran of the 28th Foot Egyptian Campaign Soldiers. Second-in-Command of General English's British Legion.

Colonel John Blossett was an Irish soldier who led the second British Legion to aid Simon Bolivar in the wars of independence against Spain.

Born in Ireland, the great-grandson of Huguenot Brigadier-General Salomon Blosset de Loche who had assisted William of Orange in the taking of the British Crown in 1688, Blossett entered the British Army in 1798, serving in the 10th Foot and rising to the level of captain in 1814 and major at the time of his discharge from the army in 1817. In 1819 Blossett was awarded the rank of colonel by Simon Bolivar as leader of the British expedition to assist him in the war of independence, taking over from General James Towers English. Having fought a number of duels throughout his career Blossett was fatally shot by Colonel Power whilst on the expedition in South America.

Bolivar in a letter to Gral Paez on 20-01-1820, orders that the Bravos de Apure Batallion be incorporated into the division formed by the British Legion and the aforementioned battalion, leaving each body with its respective chiefs and ALL at orders from Blossett.. He adds: "Commander " Farrier " will be the Chief of Staff of this division" Gral. Power's granddaughter was the actress Ethel Lavenu, whose son Tyrone Power Sr. and grandson Tyrone Power were both famous actors.

He died at a jousting with Irish General Midleton Power, shortly after the Battle of Boyaca (07/08/1819).

text by P.L. Baldo May 15th, 2019