William Hargrave was born in London in 1672, the son of Captain William Hargrave and his wife Anne Atkinson. He was commissioned in 1694 into the regiment commanded by Major-General William Caulfeild, 2nd Viscount Charlemont (later 36th Regiment of Foot). He fought in Flanders in 1694-6 and in 1702 was in Spain, fighting at Cádiz and Vigo Bay. In 1705 he was at the siege of Barcelona and in 1707 at the battle of Almanza. In the Jacobite Rebellion he fought at Sheriffmiur. In 1730 he was with the reinforcements sent to Jersey for riot control. His appointments were:
1731 Colonel of the (31st) Regiment of Foot 1 Jan 1731 - 26 Jan 1737
1737 Colonel of (9th) Regiment of Foot 27 Jan 1737 - 27 Aug 1739
1739 Colonel of The Royal Fusiliers 27 Aug 1739 - 25 Jan 1751
1740 Governor of Gibraltar 22 April 1740 until 1749
Lieutenant-General William Hargrave died on 21 January 1751. His body was interred close to that of his friend Lieutenant-General Fleming at Westminster Abbey. There is a large and complicated monument to him in the south aisle of the nave of the Abbey, erected in 1757. The sculptor was Louis Francois Roubillac, inspired by a superstition of resurrection. The monument was financed by General Fleming’s nephew who inherited most of Hargrave’s estate.
