Background
Gort was the son of Thomas Vereker by Juliana, daughter of Charles Smyth and sister of John Prendergast-Smyth, 1st Viscount Gort and was born in Ireland in 1768.
Gort was the son of Thomas Vereker by Juliana, daughter of Charles Smyth and sister of John Prendergast-Smyth, 1st Viscount Gort and was born in Ireland in 1768.
He served a short time in the navy, and was afterwards appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Limerick militia. Gort represented Limerick City in the Irish House of Commons from 1790 until the Acting of Union in 1801. On 5 September 1798 at Collooney he checked the advance of a French force, led by General Humbert, that had landed at Killala Bay, County Sligo whereupon they were defeated at Ballinamuck, where he was wounded.
In 1802 he was elected to the British House of Commons for Limerick, a seat he held until 1817, and served as a Lord of the Treasury between 1807 and 1812.
He also held the honorary posts of Constable of Limerick Castle from 1809 to 1842 and Governor of County Galway from 1814 to 1831. He was a firm adherent of the Conservative party.
Lord Gort was twice married. There were children from both marriages.
Lady Gort died in April 1858.
Following the battle at 1798 conflict at Colloney the thanks of Parliament were voted to him, and by royal proclamation he was permitted to adopt "Collooney" as the motto of his family.
2nd United Kingdom Parliament. 3rd United Kingdom Parliament. 4th United Kingdom Parliament.
5th United Kingdom Parliament.