Daniel Hoghton

Major-General Daniel Hoghton (27 August 1770 – 16 May 1811) was a British Army officer who served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars with distinction until his death during combat with the French at the Battle of Albuera in the Peninsula War. His death brought general mourning in Britain and a monument to his memory was raised in St Paul's Cathedral.

During his long career, Hoghton had fought on several West Indian islands, in India, Denmark, Portugal and Spain and had even spent a brief period standing in for a Royal Marines detachment in the Channel Fleet. A popular and able officer, Wellington was reported to have commented on his death: "I understand that it was impossible for anybody to behave better than he did . . . he, actually fell waving his hat and cheering his brigade on to the charge"

French Revolutionary Wars Hoghton was born in Castle Hedingham in Essex as second son to Sir Henry Hoghton, 6th Baronet and his second wife Fanny in 1770. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge. Raised in political circles as the son of an MP, Daniel instead chose a military career and at 23 joined the 82nd Regiment of Foot as a captain through purchase at the outbreak of the French Revolutionary War in 1793. It took some time for Hoghton to settle, moving in 1794 to the short-lived 97th Regiment of Foot and in 1795 on their disbandment joining the 67th Regiment of Foot. Whilst with the 97th, Hoghton and his troops spent some months with the Channel Fleet as makeshift marines after manning shortages necessitated the posting. In Britain his death was treated with sorrow and a government motion paid for a monument to his memory to be raised in St Paul's Cathedral.