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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-06-15, Page 1010 News Record • Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Sir William Henry Clinton: Clinton's Namesake Although William attenbury was not the first settler in Clinton, the Canada Company black- smith recognized the poten- tial for growth at the cross- roads of the London and Huron Roads and bought 'Yankee Reid's' tavern and general store in 1844. A shrewd entrepreneur, Rat- tenbury also bought up property on at least three of the four corners. The cluster of shops and houses grouped around the road junction unofficially became known as 'Ratten- bury's Corners' or 'The Cor- ners' for short. Yet, when Rattenbury registered the town plan in 1855, he named the settlement 'Clin- ton' to honour the family of distinguished military offic- ers and public servants. In particular, Rattenbury would have personally known General Sir William Henry Clinton, on whose Huron History Dave Yates estates his father had been a tenant farmer in England. Rattenbury's admiration for Sir William Clinton was well deserved. Sir William's father, General Sir Henry Clinton, was an able com- mander in the American Revolution. Sir Henry won one of the last major British victories of the revolution with the capture of Charles- ton, South Carolina in 1780. He was briefly Com- mander -in -Chief of all Brit- ish forces in North Amer- ica. Indeed, Sir Henry was North American by birth. His father (Sir William's grandfather), Admiral George Clinton, was the Safe Lick Storage Inc. www.safelockstorage.ca Call/text: 519-441-8711 I Email: info@safelockstorage.ca 24 Winni,el Rd, Clinton, ON �tlrilG'i G}il�lt}' 4F LET THE FUN BEGIN! Municipality of Bluewater SUMMER DAY CAMP For children aged 4 - 12 Locations: Bayfield and Zurich July 11th - August 19th I i _ E Monday - Friday 0 Drop off between 8:00 - 9:OOam Pick up between 4:00 - 5:OOpm Cost: $24.00 / day $100.00 / week *Family Rates are available !* Come join us for a fun -filled summer! Any Questions call Alex 519-281-2169 OR email: alexfinlay@hay.net Commodore -Governor of Newfoundland when Sir Henry was born in 1730. Sir Henry's eldest son, William Henry, was born on December 23, 1769. In 1784, at age 15, he joined his father's cavalry regiment, the 7th Light Dragoons as a junior officer. Promotion came quick as William earned a Lieutancy in 1787 and was advanced to cap- tain in the 45th Regiment of Foot in 1790. In 1793, William led a company of the elite Grena- dier Guards in the Flanders campaign. Despite the cam- paign's failure, William's leadership abilities were rewarded with promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1794. The Duke of York recog- nized Clinton's abilities and appointed him his Aide -de - Camp in 1796. William was entrusted with a secret dip- lomatic mission to Russia to secure Tsarist military assis- tance in fighting Napoleon in 1799. On the personal front, William married Lady Doro- thea Louisa Holyroyd, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Sheffield in 1797. The marriage produced two daughters and two sons. Both of William's sons later served as officers in the Grenadier Guards. Sir Wil- liam's younger brother, Henry, also became a gen- eral and commanded the British right flank at Waterloo. In 1800, Clinton served in the Egyptian campaign where he was promoted to Colonel. In June 1801, he commanded the successful amphibious assault that captured Madeira. He governed the island with the rank of Briga- dier -General unti11802. Clinton's administrative skills won him further pres- tigious positions such as Quarter -Master General of Ireland in 1804, and yet another secret mission to Sweden in 1807. In between military cam- paigns and diplomatic mis- sions, Clinton was also a Member of Parliament. In 1794, he represented the riding of East Retford. He resigned in 1796 but returned to Parliament in 1806. He held a House of Commons seat until 1830. In 1812, he was back in command of a division at Messina, Italy. The Duke of Wellington appointed him to command the first divi- sion in the Peninsular Wars in Spain later that year. General Clinton was sin- gled out for commendation for his valiant defense at the Battle of Castalla in April 1813. His division held the centre of the Anglo -Spanish line and inflicted heavy cas- ualties on the attacking French columns. If not a brilliant leader, Clinton earned a reputation as level-headed and steady under fire. Wellington appointed him Commander of all British forces in east- ern Spain until the end of the Peninsular war in 1814. He was promoted to Lieutenant -General and made a knight in 1815. His parliamentary duties kept Sir William occupied until December 1826 when he was recalled to the colours to command a division of 5000 troops sent to maintain order during the First Miguelist War in Portugal. The division was recalled in Ap611828. In 1842, Clinton's last appointment was Gover- nor of the Chelsea Hospital for pensioners. He held that post until his death on Febru- ary 15, 1846. Yet, despite generations of epic battles fought on land and sea, the Clintons were not cold-hearted men of iron. Surprisingly, in addition to military prowess, another family trait was a failure to assert themselves socially, according to Clinton family biographer Marvin Stem. Sir William wrote his brother about his fear of public speaking. He dreaded "looking like a goose" when- ever spoke. The Clintons were painfully shy, awkward men. This trait frustrated the Clinton women who pressed their husbands to assert themselves more forcefully so that their services to king and county could be duly recognized. Stern, in "A British Mili- tary Family" (2001), writes that `enjoyment' in battle and "conquest is not to be found in the words and emotions of three genera- tions of Generals," bearing the Clinton name. Instead 'what these officers craved most of all was a return to their families." 'A constant refrain' in Sir William's let- ters was his wish to go home. Sir William was far more comfortable in his role as the English country squire. Perhaps the only people he felt completely at ease with were his farming tenants like the Rattenburys. Young William Rattenbury would have been awestruck by the tales of martial exploits of their shy gentle- man landlord. This could possibly be the source of Rattenbury's loyalty to the memory of Sir William nam- ing a settlement in Upper Canada after him. Huron County's early ancestors took great care and pride in choosing the names of their settlements. One can only speculate on William Rattenbury's motives in forsaking the opportunity to name a set- tlement after himself (although Rattenbury does have a street named for him) for a modest British General that his family could only have had a fleeting acquaintance. Perhaps, it was William Rattenbury's way of recognizing a gentle hero overlooked in his own country? nwmo NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION SOCIETE DE GESTION DES DECHETS NUCLEAIRES NWMO Learn More Centre The Municipality of Central Huron is one of nine communities involved in a process of learning about Adaptive Phased Management (APM), Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is working collaboratively with the community to advance preliminary assessment studies. Learn about APM, meet NWMO staff, ask questions and offer your thoughts. Drop in to the NWMO community office and Learn More Centre in Clinton. Everyone is welcome. NWMO Learn More Centre (Central Huron) 38 Albert Street, Clinton ON 519.386.6711 Monday Tuesday Wednesday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.