Chapple Norton


General Hon. John Chapple Norton was a British Army officer who served in the American Revolutionary War and who later became a Member of Parliament for Guildford.

Early life

John Chapple Norton was born on 2 April 1746 by Fletcher Norton, 1st Baron Grantley and Grace Chapple.

Military career

He joined the British army, becoming a captain in the 19th Foot in 1763. After serving with the regiment in Gibraltar he transferred to the Royal Regiment of Foot in 1769, before being appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the 2nd Foot Guards. He served with the Foot Guards in North America during the War of Independence and was involved in several of the actions there, including leading the attack on Young's House.
In 1795 he was rewarded with the colonelcy of the 81st Regiment of Foot and in 1797 promoted lieutenant-general and transferred to the colonelcy of the 56th Foot. In 1802 he was made general and soon afterwards Governor of Charlemont, the Irish fort.

Political career

He represented Guildford, Surrey as their Member of Parliament from 1784 to 1790, from 1796 to 1806 and from 1807 to 1812.

Later life and death

He died unmarried at the family seat of Wonersh Park in Surrey in 1818.