William Gabriel Davy

General Sir William Gabriel Davy (1780 – 25 January 1856) was a military officer in the British Army. He was born in Kingsholm, Gloucestershire. Davy joined the army in 1797, and led a regiment of the 60th Foot during the Peninsular War. He received several honours and promotions during his lifetime, including a knighthood from King William IV of England in 1834 and a promotion to general in 1854. He died in January 1856.

Life
William Gabriel Davy was born in 1780 in Kingsholm, Gloucestershire. He was the eldest son in his family. His father, Major Davy, served Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal, as Persian Secretary. Davy attended Eton College for his education.

In 1797, Davy became a lieutenant in the 61st Foot of the British Army. He transferred to the 5th battalion of the 60th Foot at the beginning of 1802, and was made a captain. He was promoted to major and lieutenant-colonel on 5 February 1807 and 28 December 1809, respectively. After becoming the battalion's commander in May 1808, he led the battalion early in the Peninsular War. The battalion departed from Cork on 12 July 1808. On 1 August, they arrived at Mondego Bay in Portugal, where the first British troops to participate in the Peninsular War landed; Davy's battalion was the first to land. The Battle of Roleia was especially difficult, as Davy's battalion was in the middle of the fighting. At one point, the troops climbed a mountain "so covered with brushwood that [their] legs were ready to sink under [them]." In December 1809, just after being promoted to lieutenant-colonel, he moved to the regiment's 7th battalion. However, he never participated in physical combat again. He married Mary Ann Carruthers in Adel, Yorkshire on 20 June 1814.

In July 1830, Davy was made a major general. He remarried in 1840, to the sister of Major-General Sir Richard England, and was promoted to lieutenant-general in November of the following year. In November 1842, Davy became colonel of the 1st battalion of the 60th Foot. He was promoted to general in 1854.

From his purchase of the property in 1820, Davy resided at Tracy Park, Gloucestershire. He died there on 25 January 1856 aged 77.

Honours
Davy was awarded the Field Officer's Gold Medal, a clasp, and a gold ribbon buckle for his service in the battles of Roleia, Vimiera and Talavera during the Peninsular War. He was also praised by distinguished figures, such as Secretary of State Lord Castlereagh. Davy became a Companion of the Bath in June 1815. King William IV knighted Davy and made him a Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order in 1836.