'Rt Honble Genl Sir George Hewett, Bart. G.C.B.', 1815 (c)

Mezzotint engraving by and after Samuel William Reynolds (1773-1835), 1815 (c).

General Sir George Hewett (1750-1840) joined the 70th Regiment of Foot as an ensign in 1762 and served in the West Indies. During the American War of Independence (1775-1783) Hewett served with a grenadier company at the Siege of Charleston. He subsequently purchased a majority in 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot. In 1790 he commanded the 43rd in Ireland. In 1793 he became Adjutant General in Ireland, holding the post until 1799.

From 1799 to 1804 Hewett served as Inspector General of Recruiting for the British Army in England. He became Colonel of the 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot in 1800. In 1807 Hewett became Commander-in-Chief in India and in 1813 he took on the same role in Ireland. He died on 21 March 1840, aged 89, at Freemantle House in Hampshire.