Hercules Robert Pakenham

Lieutenant-General Sir Hercules Robert Pakenham (29 September 1781 – 7 March 1850) was a British Army officer who served as aide-de-camp to William IV of the United Kingdom. Early life Hercules Robert Pakenham was born 29 September 1781, the third son of Edward Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford and Hon. Catherine Rowley. He was a brother of Catherine Pakenham (which made him brother-in-law to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington), Thomas Pakenham, 2nd Earl of Longford, and Gen. Sir Edward Pakenham. His mother was the second daughter of the Right Hon. Hercules Langford Rowley and Elizabeth Rowley, 1st Viscountess Langford. His aunt, the Hon. Jane Rowley, was the wife of Thomas Taylour, 1st Earl of Bective, and his uncle, Hercules Rowley, 2nd Viscount Langford, was a member of the Irish House of Commons for County Antrim and Downpatrick. Career Pakenham was appointed ensign 40th Regiment of Foot on 23 July 1803, became lieutenant 3 February 1804, was transferred to the 95th rifles (later the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)) in April the same year, and obtained his company there on 2 August 1805. He served in the expedition to Copenhagen and in Portugal, where during the Battle of Roliça, he was slightly wounded at Obidos 16–17 Aug. 1808. "He is really one of the best officers of riflemen I have seen," wrote Sir Arthur Wellesley, recommending him for promotion.