Major-General William Ponsonby

1772 - 1815  (43 years)    Has more than 100 ancestors and 6 descendants in this family tree.

• Name	William Ponsonby
  Prefix	Major-General
  Birth	1772
  Gender	Male
  Battle	18 Jun 1815	Waterloo, België
  Death	18 Jun 1815	Waterloo, België
  Siblings	5 Siblings
  1. Baron John Ponsonby,   b. Abt 1770   d. 21 Feb 1855  (Age 85 years) ▻ Frances Villiers,  m. 13 Jan 1803 + 2. Major-General William Ponsonby,   b. 1772   d. 18 Jun 1815, Waterloo, België  (Age 43 years) ▻ Georgiana FitzRoy,  m. 20 Jan 1807 + 3. Bishop Richard Ponsonby,   b. 1772   d. 1853  (Age 81 years) ▻ Frances Staples + 4. George Ponsonby,   b. 1773   d. 5 Jun 1863  (Age 90 years) ▻ Sarah Gladstanes,  m. 7 Apr 1807 ;   Diana Julietta Margaretta Bouverie,  m. 1812   5. Frederick Ponsonby   d. 1849 + 6. Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby,   b. 4 Mar 1776, Imokilly, Mogeely, Cork, Éire d. 26 Nov 1861, London, Middlesex, England  (Age 85 years) ▻ Prime Minister Earl Charles Grey,  m. 18 Nov 1794
  Person ID	I282219	Geneagraphie
  Last Modified	9 Dec 2017

  
  

  Father	Baron William Brabazon Ponsonby,   b. 15 Sep 1744   d. 1806 (Age 61 years)
  Mother	Louisa Molesworth,   b. 23 Oct 1749   d. 1 Sep 1824 (Age 74 years)
  Marriage	26 Dec 1769
  Family ID	F31845	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Georgiana FitzRoy,   b. Abt 1779, Southampton, Hampshire, England d. 6 Feb 1835 (Age 56 years)
  Marriage	20 Jan 1807	Old Church, St. Pancres, London, England
  Children	1. Anna Louisa Ponsonby   d. 23 Jan 1863   2. Baron William Ponsonby,   b. 1816   d. 1861 (Age 45 years) + 3. Charlotte Georgina Ponsonby   d. 7 Sep 1883
  Family ID	F113930	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	26 May 2003

  
  

• Event Map	Click to hide
  		Battle - 18 Jun 1815 - Waterloo, België Death - 18 Jun 1815 - Waterloo, België  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Notes

  after serving n the Peninsular War, was killed at the battle of Waterloo whilst leading a brigade of heavy cavalry. http://10.1911encyclopedia.org/P/PO/PONSONBY_JOHN.htm Battle of Waterloo Charge of the Union Brigade The Union Brigade was composed of three regiments of heavy dragoon cavalry, one English, one Scottish and one Irish, hence their brigade title. The most famous of these regiments was the Scots Greys or the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons to give their correct regimental title. Their part in the charge was immortalised in the famous painting "Scotland Forever" by Lady Butler. The charge was led by Major General The Honourable Sir William Ponsonby. The horsemen charged headlong into D'Erlon's Corps. The slaughter was wholesale as the French were caught completely out of formation with no hope of forming square to resist the cavalry attack. It is estimated that within a matter of minutes the French lost some 5,000 men in dead, wounded and prisoners. The most famous incident of the charge involved the capture of the eagle of the French 45th Regiment of the Line by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Greys. Ewart, who was a giant of a man, managed to seize the eagle during hand to hand fighting, during which he killed a number of Frenchmen. He was then ordered to take his prize to the rear by Major General Ponsonby himself. This order probably saved Ewart's life as dreadful carnage was to follow. The eagle is still in possession of Ewart's regiment and is displayed at Edinburgh Castle. Tragically the horsemen did not stop. Intoxicated by their success they charged on across the valley and right up to the French artillery, killing gunners and putting guns out of action. By this time the horses were blown and the Union Brigade had become highly vulnerable to counter attack by fresh French cuirassiers and Polish lancers. The British cavalry stood little chance. The slaughter was terrible. Major General Ponsonby was one of those killed. As his exhausted horse became bogged down in the mud, the lancers were upon them and killed both the General and his horse. It is estimated that of 1,300 troopers and horses of the Union Brigade who charged 600 men were killed, wounded or taken prisoner and 600 horses lost. (Medical):in battle