Lord Frederick Cavendish

Field Marshal Lord Frederick Cavendish (August 1729 – 21 October 1803) was a British Army officer and Whig politician. After serving as an aide-de-camp to the Duke of Cumberland in Germany during the early stages of the Seven Years' War, he served under Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough in the raid on St Malo and then took part in the raid on Cherbourg. Cavendish commanded the rear-guard during the re-embarkation following the disastrous battle of Saint Cast and was taken prisoner. After his release, Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick gave him command of a brigade of chasseurs which he led to victory at the Battle of Wilhelmsthal in June 1762.

Military career

Born the son of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire and Catherine Cavendish (née Hoskins), Cavendish was commissioned as an ensign in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards on 29 April 1749. He entered politics as Member of Parliament for Derbyshire in 1751. He was promoted to lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of Foot Guards and captain in the Army on 17 March 1752.

In 1754, Cavendish gave up the Derbyshire seat for his brother George and was returned to Parliament as Member for Derby instead. and served as an aide-de-camp to the Duke of Cumberland in Germany in Summer 1757 during the early stages of the Seven Years' War. he served under Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough during the raid on St Malo in June 1758 and then took part in the raid on Cherbourg in August 1758.

Cavendish became colonel of the 67th Regiment of Foot in October 1759 and colonel of the 34th Regiment of Foot in October 1760. Part of his brigade was ambushed during the Siege of Kassel in October 1762. and to field marshal on 30 July 1796.

He died at his home, Twickenham Park, on 21 October 1803 and was buried in the family vault at Derby Cathedral. He left most of his property to his nephew, Lord George Cavendish, later 1st Earl of Burlington.

Family Cavendish never married and he had no children.