General John, The Earl of Suffolk 1783 - 1814

John Howard, 15th Earl of Suffolk and 8th Earl of Berkshire, was born in Tralee, Ireland, on 7th March 1739. He had been a page to His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, and entered the army as Ensign in the 1st Foot Guards on the 13th of June 1756; he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1773. In 1782 he was appointed Colonel of the 97th Regiment, afterwards disbanded; he succeeded to the dignity of Earl of Suffolk in 1783.

In the same year he commanded the 70th of Foot when it was stationed in Exeter, Devon. The Regiment was at that time in a poor state of fitness and equipment due to the demands placed upon the army by the recently concluded American War of Independence.

He was promoted to the rank of Major General in 1787, to that of Lieutenant General in 1797, and General in 1802. In 1814 he was removed to the 44th Regiment. He was many years Governor of Londonderry and of Calmore Fort. He died on 23rd January 1820.