SIR RALPH •ABERCROMBY
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
1738-1801
BORN in Scotland of a landowning family, Abercromby did not at first intend to become a soldier. However, when he was 22 he gave up law as aprofession and entered the Army. 'He saw service in the Seven Years War and in the War of American Independence.
He became known for his bravery in battle, and he also showed an interest in the science of war and the technique of soldiering which was far from usual in his day. Indeed, in 1793, when he was a Major-General and went with the Duke of York to-Flanders, he was almost alone in his military knowledge among commanders who led the British to disaster in 1794 and 1795.
He served with distinction in the West Indies, and in 18o I was given command of the Mediterranean expedition against the French. Here he won the victory for which he is famous. He made a most daring and skilful landing under heavy fire at Aboukir Bay and at Alexandria ' to-tally defeated the French forces under General Menou. 'Abercromby was wounded in the battle and died within a week.
He was not only a shrewd and -courageous commander in the field ; he realized also the importance of morale to troops, and did a great deal to restore discipline to the reckless and often uncerntrollable soldiery of the British Army of his day.