Henry Dawnay, 3rd Viscount Downe

Henry Pleydell Dawnay was born on 8 April 1727, the son of the Hon John Dawnay and grandson of Henry, 2nd Viscount Downe. His mother was Charlotte Louisa Pleydell. He inherited the title, an Irish peerage, from his grandfather in May 1741 and lived at Cowick Hall, East Riding. He sat as Knight of the Shire for Yorkshire in the House of Commons from 1750 until his death in 1760. When Prime Minister Pitt sent a fleet and a large force to raid the French coast, there was an upsurge of nationalist fervour that encouraged titled gentlemen to volunteer. Viscount Downe joined the Light Troop of the 10th Dragoons and accompanied them on their raids on St Malo and Cherbourg. Later in the Seven Years War he commanded the 25th Foot and was with them at the battle of Kloster Kampen on 15 Oct 1760. The French were victorious and many British soldiers were captured, including Viscount Downe who was wounded. He died of his wounds on 9 Dec 1760. He was aged 33 and unmarried.

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