Background
He was the eldest son of the 6th Baronet and 1st Earl of Stradbroke.
He was the eldest son of the 6th Baronet and 1st Earl of Stradbroke.
He joined the Army at the age of 16, being gazetted as an ensign in the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards on 30 June 1810. During the Peninsular War, he took part in the battles of Salamanca, Burgos, Vittoria and San Sebastian. He was present at the crossing of the Bidassoa, at the Nivelle and Nive, the crossing of the Ardour and the invasion of Bayonne.
On 4 May 1814 he was promoted to Lieutenant.
Rous returned to the family estate, Henham Park, for 12 months leave, but was ordered to rejoin his regiment in Brussels following Napoleon"s escape from Elba in March 1815. While serving in Wellington"s campaign in Belgium, Rous was wounded at Quatre Bras and so did not take part in Napoleon"s defeat two days later at Waterloo.
On 6 November 1817 he transferred to the 93rd Regiment of Foot with the rank of Captain. Rous retired from the Army in 1821.
After the death his father in August 1827 he became the 2nd Earl of Stradbroke.
He pursued an active life as a peer and politician, also serving as the Colonel of the East Suffolk Regiment of Militia from 1830 to 1844, and as Lord Lieutenant and the Vice-Admiral of Suffolk, 1844–1886. Lady Augusta Fanny Rous (1858–1950)
Lady Sophia Evelyn Rous (1859–1940)
George Edward John Mowbray Rous, 3rd Earl of Stradbroke (1862–1947)
Lady Adela Charlotte Rous (1865–1911)
Lady Hilda Maud Rous (1867–1904)
Lady Gwendoline Audrey Adeline Brudenell Rous (1869–1952).