William Warre and the Liberation of Portugal in the Peninsular War (1808-1812)

Author:

Paul Symington

Report:

36

Page:

157

Year:

2009

Subject Matter:

Peninsular War

Excerpt:

The Warre port company had been founded in 1670 and William Warre was born in Porto in 1784. Seemingly destined for a life in the port industry, William was educated at Harrow and then returned to join the family firm. However, he blotted his copybook by playing a practical joke on the Portuguese partner and was asked to leave. This led to a military career in which Warre played a distinguished role during the Peninsular War, seemingly in the thick of it at most of the major battles. However, his major contribution, as a Portuguese speaker, was to develop and training the Portuguese Army under Beresford. The author, himself from a major port family, traces Warre’s career, quoting from his letters home to his father.

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