NAM.1964-04-2-1

General Jean (or John) Louis (later Field Marshal, 1st Earl) Ligonier (1680-1770), in the uniform of Col of the Royal Regt of Horse Guards, 1754 (c). Oil on canvas by an unknown artist, 1754 (c). Three-quarter-length portrait, to left, a baton in his right hand resting on a cannon, tricorne under left arm. The son of a refugee Huguenot family, Ligonier joined Marlborough's army as a volunteer in 1702 and saw action at all his major battles. He became a major general in 1739 and commanded the British at the battle of Fontenoy in 1745. In 1753 he became colonel of the Blues and in 1757 succeeded the Duke of Cumberland as Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in Germany. In 1766 he was created field marshal and Earl Ligonier.

Fontenoy, Battle of, 1745 (War of the Austrian Succession 1740-1748)