Hamelin Trelawny
British politician
About Hamelin Trelawny
Lived 1782 – 1856 (aged 73). Hamelin Trelawny was a governor of Saint Helena.
Hamelin Trelawny (16 October 1782 – 3 May 1846) was a British army officer who served as governor of Saint Helena. Born to nobility, he would enlist in the British military in 1798, rising to the rank of colonel by 1841. He was appointed Governor of Saint Helena on 24 August 1841, serving in the position until his death.
Early life Hamelin was born to Sir Harry Trelawny, 7th Baronet and Anne Browne (died 18 November 1822). He had 5 siblings:
John Trelawney (28 January 1780 – 31 October 1821) Sir William Salusbury-Trelawny, 8th Baronet (4 July 1781 – 15 November 1856) Colonel Jonathan Trelawny (30 August 1786 – 13 September 1855) Anne Letitia (22 January 1779 – 6 July 1860)
Military service Hamelin entered into the service of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1798, serving in Holland the following year. He later served in the Peninsular War between 1813 and 1814. He served as captain of the regiment's A Battery, 14th Brigade between 1826 and 1831. Following this, he was promoted to the position of lieutenant-colonel on 27 June 1831; Second Captain Thomas Grantham was promoted to captain as a result.
On 27 November 1841, Hamelin was promoted to the position of colonel.
Saint Helena Hamelin was appointed Governor of Saint Helena on 24 August 1841. He assumed the role on 6 January 1842, succeeding Major General George Middlemore. He promptly raised 5 companies in England under the St. Helena Regiment in order to replace the line regiments at Saint Helena. Following his death, he was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel G.C Fraser as acting Governor on 4 May 1846, with Sir Patrick Ross assuming the role of Governor on 23 November 1846.
Personal life Hamelin married Martha Rogers (died 6 January 1864) in 1806. They had six children: Edward Harry Trelawny
He died on 3 May 1846 in Saint Helena. A few days prior to his death, he was paralyzed in his left side.
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Important facts
People in Hamelin Trelawny's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Hamelin Trelawny?
British politician
When was Hamelin Trelawny born?
Hamelin Trelawny was born on 16 October 1782 in Trelawny, Pelynt.
When did Hamelin Trelawny die?
Hamelin Trelawny died on 3 May 1856 in Saint Helena.
What was Hamelin Trelawny's occupation?
Hamelin Trelawny was a governor of Saint Helena.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hamelin Trelawny. https://biography.guide/hamelin-trelawny/
MLA: "Hamelin Trelawny." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hamelin-trelawny/.
Chicago: "Hamelin Trelawny." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hamelin-trelawny/.
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