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Colonel Commandant Sir Richard Williams (1764–1839) was a career British officer of the Royal Marines active during the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, and the War of 1812. Sir Richard Williams is notable for being the first Commanding Officer of the Royal Marine Artillery, and for subsequently commanding the Portsmouth Division of Royal Marines during 1827–1835. In American history he is remembered as the senior ranking officer of the Royal Marines to serve on the British North America and West Indies Station during the War of 1812. Historian Paul Harris Nicolas (1790–1860), himself a former Royal Marine officer and the author of the two volume Historical Record of the Marine Forces (1845), paid tribute to Colonel William's firm hand in controlling the conduct of his troops on foreign soil. Sir Richard would not condone looting on the part of those under his command.〔'Historical Record of the Royal Marine forces, by Paul Harris Nicolas, Lieut. Royal Marines, Volume II, Thomas and William Boone London 1845〕 ==Company Officer== Richard Williams joined the Marines in 1778 at the age of 14 as a Second Lieutenant. He was the older brother of Samuel Williams (1766–1824), who also served with distinction in the Royal Marines.〔Memorials & Monuments formerly in the Royal Garrison Church -Anna Maria Williams - Lt. Col. Samuel Williams - Colonel Sir Richard Williams ()〕 Both Richard and Samuel Williams were the sons of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel (and Major) Batholomew Williams (died 1797) of H. M. Marine Forces.〔The Scots magazine, Deaths and Preferments, v. 52, by James Boswell, Dec 1790, p623〕〔The Gentleman's magazine, Obituary, v. 82 (July-Dec. 1797)p897〕〔Steel's original and correct List of the Royal Navy...corrected to March 1798, London 1798, p.34, ebook available at Google Books〕 In the course of the American Revolutionary War, which involved Great Britain in war against France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic, Richard Williams served at sea, and was promoted to First Lieutenant in the Marines in 1781. On 6 July 1782, while serving aboard the HMS Sultan (1775), Marine First Lieutenant Richard Williams was wounded in the Naval Battle of Negapatam (1782) which opposed British and French fleets off the southeastern coast of India. Following the end of the American War of Independence, the Establishment of the Marines was reduced, and he was on half-pay for several years.〔A list of the officers of the Army and Marines, 35th Edition, 15 February 1787〕 In spite of this unattached status on half-pay, the young lieutenant remained abroad on foreign service until 27 May 1785. During the French Revolutionary wars, Lieutenant of Marines Richard Williams served aboard the HMS Arethusa (1781) in the Channel squadron commanded by Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren, 1st Baronet, and participated in the Naval Action of 23 April 1794 near Guernsey. On that occasion the squadron captured three French warships. Ordered ashore, Richard Williams was assigned to 35 Company,〔Steels Navy List January 1795〕 and was duly assigned to 126 Company upon his promotion to Captain.〔Navy List 1797〕 Both of these Companies were in the Establishment of the Portsmouth Division of the corps of Marines. As Captain of Marines aboard the HMS Robust, which was commanded by Captain Edward Thornbrough of the Royal Navy, Captain Williams vainly sought permission to intervene promptly with his Marines against the mutineers at the Spithead anchorage. The Marine Captain was subsequently among the officers sent ashore by the mutineers of the Spithead and Nore mutinies. Recognition for his loyalty and determination brought about his restoration to duty by the Admiralty. Still Captain of the Marines aboard HMS Robust, Williams took part in the Battle of Tory Island on 12 October 1798.〔'Historical Record of the Royal Marine forces, by Paul Harris Nicolas, Lieut. Royal Marines, Volume I, Thomas and William Boone London 1845 pp128,152-155,200-201,226-228〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Richard Williams (Royal Marines officer)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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