Background
Wolfe was born in 1685 in York, of Irish Catholic descent.
Wolfe was born in 1685 in York, of Irish Catholic descent.
He is best known as the father of James Wolfe, famous for his capture of Quebec in 1759. The family had been active in Irish nationalist circles, which had forced them to flee the country and settle in England. Wolfe acquired a commission as a lieutenant in 1700, rising quickly to captain in 1705 and becoming a brigade major during the Flanders Campaign of the Duke of Marlborough.
In 1715 he served with General Wade in the Scottish Highlands, suppressing the Jacobite-supporting clans who had recently risen in rebellion.
The Treaty of Utrecht brought a long period of peace to Europe, limiting the opportunities for active service. In 1727 she gave birth to James Wolfe.
Because of Edward"s profession, James was immersed in military matters from a very young age. The family lived at Westerham in Kent, at what is now Quebec House, but moved to Greenwich in 1738 to be closer to London.
In 1739 with war with Spain looming, Wolfe prepared to return to active service.
The declaration of the War of Jenkin"s Ear triggered an expansion of the British military, with several new regiments of marines being created. Wolfe was promoted to Colonel and appointed to command one of the new regiments. A major expedition was planned to sail for the Caribbean under Lord Cathcart to follow up the British victory at Porto Bello.
James Wolfe hoped to take part in the expedition, gaining valuable experience of soldiering.
However, he fell badly ill and had to return home to Greenwich. Although James had felt humiliated, it had probably saved his life.
Edward Wolfe and his regiment took part in the expedition, which soon dissolved into a disaster. The British had decided to seize the port as in South America, which was used to ship precious metals.
However the British attacked during the rainy season and suffered around 18,000 casualties - almost entirely from disease.
Abandoning the attack of they then decided to attempt to capture Santiago in Cuba, only to be frustrated there as well. The expedition then returned home. Wolfe had been lucky to survive the disaster, in which some many of his comrades had died.
He now, however, found his career prospering and he had soon been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.
He was largely too infirm to be considered for active service on the continent, once the War of the Austrian Succession broke out. However when the Jacobite Rebellion broke out in 1745 Wolfe was sent to Berwick to command of a detachment of troops.
As the Jacobites advanced into England using a different route he was not called into action. During the campaign at Quebec, James Wolfe wore a black armband in mourning for his father.