Historical Record of the Twelfth, or the East Suffolk, Regiment of Foot / Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1685, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1847

by Richard Cannon

Edward Earl of Lichfield.

Appointed 14th June, 1686.

Sir Edward Henry Lee, of Ditchley, Baronet, was advanced to the peerage by King Charles II., in 1674, by the titles of Baron of Spelsbury, in the county of Bucks, and Earl of Lichfield. He was appointed one of the Lords of the bedchamber to King James II., also Custos Rotulorum for the county of Oxford, high steward of the borough of Woodstock, and lord-lieutenant of Woodstock park. In 1686 he succeeded the Duke of Norfolk in the colonelcy of the regiment, now Twelfth foot, which he continued to command until November, 1688, when, being a staunch supporter of the measures of the court, he was removed to the colonelcy of the first regiment of foot guards, which he only held a few weeks, the Prince of Orange conferring that appointment on the Duke of Grafton. The Earl of Lichfield was not afterwards employed in a military capacity. He died on the 14th of July, 1716.

Robert Lord Hunsdon.

Appointed 30th November, 1688.

Sir Robert Carey, Knight, served in a military capacity in the reign of King Charles II., and succeeded, on the decease of John Earl of Dover without issue, to the dignity of Lord Hunsdon. He was one of the supporters of the measures of King James II., who appointed him Lieut.-Colonel of the old Holland regiment (now Third foot) in 1685, and in November, 1688, promoted him to the colonelcy of the Twelfth foot, from which he was removed, at the Revolution, by the Prince of Orange. He died in 1692.

Henry Wharton.

Appointed 31st December, 1688.

Henry Wharton served in the foot guards in the reign of King Charles II., and in the summer of 1685, when the Duke of Monmouth raised the standard of rebellion in the west of England, he raised a company of foot for the service of King James II., which was incorporated in the Duke of Norfolk's regiment. He proved a very zealous and determined supporter of the interests of the Protestant religion, and on the 31st of December, 1688, the Prince of Orange promoted him to the Colonelcy of the regiment. He served in Ireland under Marshal Duke Schomberg, signalized himself at the siege of Carrickfergus, and evinced, on all occasions, so much personal bravery and spirit of enterprise, united with a generous disposition and a kind regard for the interests of his soldiers, that he was beloved by his regiment. He died at Dundalk in October, 1689, much regretted by the officers and men of his regiment.