Best fighting Scot

Published on Friday 26 June 2009 20:17

JOHN PAUL JONES 1747-92 Born in Kirkcudbright, Jones went to sea at 13 and was a captain at 21. After moving to America, he gained a reputation as a warship commander, destroying or capturing many British ships. Jones is regarded as the founder of the US navy and is buried at the US Naval Academy.

SIR JOHN MOORE 1761-1809: Glasgow boy who enlisted in the 51st Foot aged 14 and fought in America as "a devilishly frightened" teenage captain. In 1794, a successful commander against the French in Corsica. He attacked Calvi and was hit in the head by a splinter: "The thickness of my skull saved my life." In the Peninsular War, Moore was killed at Corunna overseeing an epic retreat.

SIR COLIN CAMPBELL 1792-1863: The flamboyant Glasgow-born son of a carpenter, served in the Peninsular War, India, China and the Crimea (where he commanded the Highland Brigade). At the Battle of Balaklava, as the Russian cavalry charged towards him, he shouted at what was to be known as The Thin Red Line: "Steady the 93rd! Damn all this eagerness!"

THOMAS COCHRANE 1775-1860: At a time when the Royal Navy's fighting captains were the heroes of the age, Cochrane was simply the best. Fought the Spanish, French and pirates, too. His foes named him 'the Sea Wolf'. In 1817 Cochrane helped win Chile independence.

SIR HECTOR MACDONALD 1853-1903: The son of a crofter rose from a private in the Gordon Highlanders to major general, earning the soubriquet 'Fighting Mac'. Fought in Afghanistan, South Africa and commanded a mainly Sudanese brigade at the Battle of Omdurman, where his fast reactions prevented the exposed British flank being turned. Probably no-one in the British army had more wounds. It is his kilted figure that sits on the label of Camp Coffee.