thumb|Sir Patrick Grant

Field Marshal Sir Patrick Grant, (11 September 1804 – 28 March 1895) was a senior British Army officer who served in India. He fought at the Battle of Maharajpore during the Gwalior campaign, at the Battle of Mudki, the Battle of Ferozeshah and the Battle of Sobraon during the First Anglo-Sikh War and at the Battle of Chillianwala and the Battle of Gujrat during the Second Anglo-Sikh War. During the Indian Mutiny, as acting Commander-in-Chief, India, he directed the operations against the mutineers, sending forces under Henry Havelock and James Outram for the relief of Cawnpore and Lucknow. He later became Governor of Malta.

Military career

Born at Auchterblair, near Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, Grant was the second son of Major John Grant of the 97th Regiment of Foot and Anna Trapaud Grant. He became a brigade major in Oudh in 1834 and, having raised the Hariana Light Infantry in 1836, he became second assistant in the adjutant-general's department of the Bengal Presidency in 1838. Promoted to brevet major on 30 April 1844, he served as acting adjutant-general of the army at the Battle of Mudki in December 1845 (where he was twice wounded), at the Battle of Ferozeshah also in December 1845 and at the Battle of Sobraon in February 1846 during the First Anglo-Sikh War.

thumb|left|The Battle of Gujrat, at which Grant saw action, during the Second Anglo-Sikh War

Grant also took part in the Battle of Chillianwala in January 1849 and the Battle of Gujrat in February 1849 during the Second Anglo-Sikh War. Appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen and promoted to brevet colonel on 2 August 1850, he was further promoted to brevet major-general on 28 November 1854 before becoming commander-in-chief of the Madras Army with the local rank of lieutenant-general on 25 January 1856.

When General George Anson died of cholera on his march against the mutineers in May 1857, Grant, as senior commander in India, was summoned to Calcutta to become acting Commander-in-Chief, India. and to lieutenant-general on 24 October 1862. In February 1864 he was appointed to a Royal Commission formed to inquire into the best mode of realizing the value of booty of war. He became Governor of Malta in 1867 and was promoted to full general on 19 November 1870.

thumb|Sir Patrick Grant, Governor of Malta (1867–1872)

Grant was also colonel of the 104th Regiment of Foot, of the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot and then of the Royal Horse Guards. He was placed on the retired list on 1 October 1877 and promoted to field marshal on 24 June 1883.

Grant also served as governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea from February 1874 until his death there on 28 March 1895. He is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London.thumb|150px|Grant's grave at [[Brompton Cemetery, London]]

thumb|150px|Memorial to Grant at [[Duthil Old Parish Church and Churchyard]]

Honours

Grant's honours included:

  • Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) – 1 March 1861 (KCB – 2 January 1857; CB – 3 April 1846)
  • Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) – January 1868

His granddaughter Isabel Frances Grant was a notable historian and collector.