John Montagu

Admiral John Montagu (1719–1795) was an English naval officer and colonial governor of Newfoundland. Naval career He was born in 1719, son of James Montagu of Lackham, Lacock, Wiltshire (died 1747), and great-grandson of James Montagu of Lackham (1602–1665), third son of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester. Montagu began his naval career in the Royal Naval Academy, Portsmouth on 14 August 1733. He was promoted lieutenant in 1740 and served on and, in 1744, was present at the Battle of Toulon. In 1757 he was present at the execution of Admiral John Byng. Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1770, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station from 1771 to 1774. In June 1772, Montagu was involved in the Gaspee Affair as the commanding officer of Lieutenant William Duddingston, where he unsuccessfully tried to identify and have prosecuted the raiders who attacked Dudingston's ship.