Charles Sybourg

Sybourg was born Charles de Sibourg, a gentleman of French extraction and a Protestant,^[1] and was said to have been an illegitimate son of Meinhardt, Duke of Schomberg.^[2] He entered the English army soon after the Revolution of 1688, and proved a brave and meritorious officer.^[1] On 1 May 1694 he was promoted to the rank of major in Schomberg's 8th Horse (later 7th Dragoon Guards),^[2] and on 1 March 1703 was appointed to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment,^[3] from which time he discontinued the de in his name, which was afterwards spelt Sybourg.^[1] He was granted the brevet rank as a colonel of Horse on 1 January 1704.^[4] He commanded the 8th Horse at the battles of Schellenberg, Blenheim and Ramillies,^[1][2] and was promoted to the rank of brigader-general on 1 January 1707.^[5] In 1708 he commanded a brigade of cuirassiers at the battle of Oudenarde,^[1] and he was also present at Malplaquet the following year.^[6] On 1 January 1710 he was promoted to the rank of major-general,^[7] and he succeeded the Earl of Orrery in the colonelcy of a newly raised regiment of foot on 8 December.^[8] He commanded a brigade under the Duke of Marlborough during the campaign of 1711.^[1] Following the decease of the Marquess of Harwich, on 12 October 1713 he obtained the colonelcy of the 8th Horse,^[9] which he retained until 1720.^[1] In April 1725 he was made governor of Fort William in Scotland,^[10][11] and it was reported that he amassed a fortune of £80,000.^[1] He died on 25 January 1733, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.^[2]