Field Marshal Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as ...

James O'Hara, 2nd Baron Tyrawley and 1st Baron Kilmaine, PC (1682 – 14 July 1774), was an Irish officer in the British Army. After serving as a junior officer in

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

and the

Low Countries The term Low Countries, also known as the Low Lands ( nl, de Lage Landen, french: les Pays-Bas, lb, déi Niddereg Lännereien) and historically called the Netherlands ( nl, de Nederlanden), Flanders, or Belgica, is a coastal lowland region in N ...

during the

War of the Spanish Succession The War of the Spanish Succession was a European great power conflict that took place from 1701 to 1714. The death of childless Charles II of Spain in November 1700 led to a struggle for control of the Spanish Empire between his heirs, Phil ...

, he went on to become British ambassador to

Lisbon Lisbon (; pt, Lisboa ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 544,851 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km2. Grande Lisboa, Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administr ...

establishing a close relationship with King John V there. He undertook a tour as British ambassador to

Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...

before becoming Governor of Gibraltar where he set about improving the fortifications. He was briefly commander of British troops in

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...

during the

Seven Years' War The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) was a global conflict that involved most of the European Great Powers, and was fought primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Other concurrent conflicts include the French and Indian War (1754� ...

but was replaced within a few months. During his military career, he was colonel of eight different regiments.

Military career

Born the son of

Charles O'Hara, 1st Baron Tyrawley Lieutenant General Charles O'Hara, 1st Baron Tyrawley (died 9 June 1724) was an Irish soldier known for his service with the British Army. From 1714 to 1721 he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Irish Army. Background Born in Ireland in t ...

, and Frances O'Hara (''née'' Rouse), James O'Hara was commissioned as a

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

in the

Royal Fusiliers The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in continuous existence for 283 years. It was known as the 7th Regiment of Foot until the Childers Reforms of 1881. The regiment served in many wars ...

on 15 March 1703. He was promoted to

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

on 24 March 1705.Heathcote, p. 234 O'Hara fought at the Siege of Barcelona in April 1706 and was wounded at the Battle of Almansa in April 1707 during the

. He was redeployed to the

as aide-de-camp to the

Duke of Marlborough General (United Kingdom), General John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, 1st Prince of Mindelheim, 1st Count of Nellenburg, Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, (26 May 1650 – 16 June 1722 Old Style and New Style dates, O.S.) was an Engl ...

and was wounded again at the Battle of Malplaquet in September 1709. He succeeded his father as

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

of the Royal Fusiliers in January 1713 and then served with his regiment in

Minorca Menorca or Minorca (from la, Insula Minor, , smaller island, later ''Minorica'') is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. Its name derives from its size, contrasting it with nearby Majorca. Its capita ...

for several years. For this he was appointed an aide-de-camp to

the King In the British English-speaking world, The King refers to: * Charles III (born 1948), King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms since 2022 As a nickname * Michael Jackson (1958–2009), American singer and pop icon, nicknamed "T ...

in 1717 and, while serving in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

, was created Baron Kilmaine in the Peerage of Ireland on 2 January 1722. He succeeded his father as 2nd

Baron Tyrawley Baron Tyrawley was a title that was created twice, both times in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in 1706 in favour of the soldier Sir Charles O'Hara. His son, James O'Hara, was a distinguished military commander. He had already be ...

in June 1724. Lord Tyrawley and Kilmaine (as he was now) was appointed British ambassador to

in January 1727 establishing a close relationship with King John V there. Promoted to

brigadier-general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

on 18 December 1735 and to major-general on 17 July 1739, he also became colonel of the 5th Regiment of Horse in August 1739. After retiring from his post in Lisbon in January 1741, he declined an American command later that year. Promoted to

lieutenant-general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...

on 5 April 1743, he became colonel of the

2nd Troop Horse Grenadier Guards The Horse Grenadier Guards, usually referred to ''Horse Grenadiers'' were a series of cavalry troops in the British Household Cavalry between 1687 and 1788, who used grenades and other explosives in battle. Originally attached to the Horse Guar ...

later that month and was appointed British ambassador to

in November 1743. He retired from the Saint Petersburg post in February 1745. Lord Tyrawley became colonel of the

3rd Troop of Horse Guards {{Use dmy dates, date=April 2022 The 3rd Troop of Horse Guards was formed in 1658 as the 2nd, or The Duke of York's Troop of Horse Guards from followers of Charles II in exile in Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heesterma ...

in April 1745 and colonel of the Lord Tyrawley's Regiment in December 1746 before becoming Governor of Minorca in 1747. He was elected

Fellow of the Royal Society Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS, ForMemRS and HonFRS) is an award granted by the judges of the Royal Society of London to individuals who have made a "substantial contribution to the improvement of natural science, natural knowledge, incl ...

in January 1748. He went on to become colonel of the 14th Regiment of Dragoons in July 1749, colonel of the

3rd (King's Own) Regiment of Dragoons The 3rd (The King's Own) Hussars was a Cavalry regiments of the British Army, cavalry regiment of the British Army, first raised in 1685. It saw service for three centuries, including the World War I, First and the World War II, Second World Wa ...

in July 1752 and colonel of the Coldstream Guards in April 1755. Tyrawley became Governor of Gibraltar in 1756 and set about improving the fortifications. These changes came under criticism from William Skinner who was British Chief Engineer. The two of them were called before the bar of the House of Commons where Lord Tyrawley harangued Skinner who took the anger in good humour. Tyrawley went on to be Governor of Portsmouth in 1759. Promoted to full

general A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...

on 14 March 1761, Lord Tyrawley and Kilmaine returned to

as British ambassador and commander of British troops in February 1762 for the duration of the

but was replaced by General John Burgoyne in July 1762 and returned to England in protest. Promoted to

field marshal Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as ...

on 10 June 1763, he moved to

Milbourne House 18 Station Road, also known as Milbourne House, is a Grade II* listed house at Station Road, Barnes, London SW13, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It has an early 18th-century facade, and earlier features internally. It was home t ...

Barnes Barnes may refer to: People * Barnes (name), a family name and a given name (includes lists of people with that name) Places United Kingdom *Barnes, London, England **Barnes railway station ** Barnes Bridge railway station ** Barnes Railway Bri ...

in 1770. He died at

Twickenham Twickenham is a suburban district in London, England. It is situated on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historically part of Middlesex, it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames since 1965, and the boroug ...

on 14 July 1774 and was buried in the chapel of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.Heathcote, p. 235 Alliberament de Barcelona 1706

Family

In November 1724, Lord Tyrawley and Kilmaine married Mary Stewart, daughter of The 2nd Viscount Mountjoy. He had no children by this marriage but had at least two illegitimate children including

Charles O'Hara General Charles O'Hara (1740 – 25 February 1802) was a British Army officer who served in the Seven Years' War, the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary War and later served as governor of Gibraltar. He served with di ...

, who followed him into the Army, and George Anne Bellamy, who became an actress. The diarist Sylas Neville mentions meeting a naval officer stationed at Great Yarmouth in 1771 "whose name is O'Hara, a natural son of Lord Tyrawley" but this is likely to be have been naval Lieutenant William Henry King O'Hara (d. 1789).

References

Sources

* Baron's Tyrawley accounts from Russia have been released in: Сборник Императорского русского исторического общества, том 102: Дипломатическая переписка английских послов и посланников при русском дворе: Сообщ. из англ. гос. архива М-ва иностр., часть 12-ая: 1744 - 1745 г., С -Петербург 1898. * , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Tyrawley, James Ohara, 2nd Baron 1682 births 1774 deaths People from County Mayo People from County Galway 14th King's Hussars officers 3rd The King's Own Hussars officers 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards officers Barons in the Peerage of Ireland British field marshals British Life Guards officers Coldstream Guards officers Royal Fusiliers officers Royal Lincolnshire Regiment officers Irish officers in the British Army Ambassadors of Great Britain to Portugal Members of the Privy Council of Ireland Fellows of the Royal Society British Army personnel of the War of the Spanish Succession Peers of Ireland created by George I British Army personnel of the Seven Years' War