John Doveton

Lieutenant-general Sir John Doveton (1768 – 7 November 1847) was a British military officer in the East India Company's Madras Army.

Early life He was born in St. Helena, the son of Jonathan Doveton, a planter and factor and his wife Mary Harper.

Rising status Doveton entered the service of the East India Company as an ensign of infantry on 30 April 1783 and joined the Madras European Regiment serving in the southern army under William Fullarton. The peacetime allowance for regimental tentage provided a supplemental income for commanding officers in the Madras Army and its abolishment drew heavy criticism from officers who were to be denied of this income and who felt they were now being accused of embezzlement. In July 1809 Barlow demanded officers sign a declaration of loyalty yet only around 150 officers did so out of approximately 3,000. In turn a number of detachments at locations including Hyderabad, Seringapatnam, Jaulna, Masulipatam and Ellore passed into open revolt.

Doveton, then Commandant of a field force at Jaulna, revolted and along with the Commandants at Seringapatnam and Masulipatam, Lieutenant-Colonel John Bell and Major Joseph Storey, he was tried at a Court Martial which began in November 1809. Following deliberation Doveton was initially acquitted but later suspended on pay and allowances, whilst Bell and Storey were dismissed from the army.

Redemption On 14 June 1813 he was promoted colonel and the following year commanded a contingent at Hyderabad with the rank of brigadier-General. The contingent, paid for by the Nizam of Hyderabad, consisted of around ten thousand men led by British officers, and was intended to provide a greater garrison in the Nizam's vast territory.

During the Pindari War, Doveton achieved distinction for his rapid relief against of Nagpur. For his actions, he was made a Companion of the Bath in 1818, and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in November 1819. In August 1819 he was promoted to major-general and the following year resigned from the army.

Later life and death On retirement, Doveton remained in Madras. He was promoted to lieutenant-general and made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1837.

He died at his house in Nungambakkam on 7 November 1847 aged 77 years. His funeral was attended by large numbers and he was buried at St. Mary's Church.