Marble portrait bust of Major General Sir Charles Philip Belson, KCB, 1830 (c)

Charles Belson (1773-1830) served in the West Indies from 1793 to 1794 with the 3rd West India Regiment and later took part in the landing at Helder in 1799. Promoted to major in February 1802, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment of Foot, in November 1804. He remained in that post until 1808 when he took command of the 1st Battalion, 28th Foot, taking part in the Walcheren campaign of 1809.

Belson later commanded the 1st Battalion in the Peninsula and in June 1812 was made brevet colonel. During the Waterloo campaign of 1815 he again commanded the 1st Battalion and after the battle led the 8th Brigade. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 56th Foot in May 1816, he was made a major-general in August 1819. Belson died in London in November 1830.