Coote Manningham

Soldier

In the west aisle of the north transept of Westminster Abbey is a white marble memorial to Major General Coote Manningham. This is by sculptor John Bacon junior and is dated 1813.

But it has been cut down, due to lack of space, and the relief of a mourning woman, military trophies including a cannon and sword, a shield of arms (of him and his wife), a medallion inscribed CORUNNA 1809, an open book inscribed "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord", and part of the inscription were removed in the late 19th century to the Abbey triforium, leaving only the main inscription.

This reads:

Sacred to the memory of Major General Coote Manningham, colonel of the 95th or Rifle Regiment of infantry and equerry to the King. In testimony of a friendship, which commenced in early youth, was matured and confirmed by time, remains unchilled by death and humbly looks for a reunion in eternity. The distinguished soldier, to whom friendship erects this inadequate memorial, began his career of military action at the siege of Gibraltar, and concluded it at the victory of Corunna, to which his skill and gallantry conspicuously contributed. He fell an early victim to the vicissitudes of climate and the severities of war; and died the 26th of August 1809 aged 44. Yet, reader regard not his fate as premature, since his cup of glory was full; and he was not summoned till his virtue and patriotism had achieved, even here, a brilliant recompense; for his name is engraven on the annals of his country. In him, the man and the Christian tempered the warrior, and England might proudly present him to the world as the model of a British soldier!

At the base was the inscription (now removed to the triforium):

Erected by Lieut. General Thomas Hislop, Commander in Chief etc. at Bombay in the East Indies, Anno. 1813

Sir Thomas Hislop (1764-1843), a friend of Manningham, became Commander in Bombay in 1812 and was also Lt. Governor of Trinidad when he served with a West Indies regiment.

His life

He was born in 1765 and baptised on 31st of August at St Martin's church, Dorking in Surrey. He was a son of Charles Manningham (died 1797), formerly one of the Council at Fort William and in Bengal, and his wife Ann (1736-1820), daughter of Colonel Charles Hutchinson (died 1777), Governor of St Helena, where they were married.

His brothers were Charles, Boyd (a Lt. Colonel in the army who died before Coote), and Henry, and his sisters were Harriet, Amelia and Elizabeth. His uncle, on his mother's side, was Sir Eyre Coote, whose monument is near to his tablet.

Coote started his career in the regiment of his uncle Sir Robert Boyd at the siege of Gibraltar. He rose to the rank of Major and served in Grenada. He was wounded and his health was impaired by the climate and fever he got there. He was Colonel of the 95th, or rifle regiment of foot and an Equerry to the King. In 1805 he was appointed Major General.

His wife was Anna Maria Pollen (1783-1822), daughter of the Rev. George Pollen of Little Bookham in Surrey, and they were married in that church in 1802. Both Coote and Anna are buried in All Saints church there. Their children were Mary Anne (who married Sir Edward Buller), Charles, Harriet and Boyd Pollen.