The memorial of Thomas Thornton, Esq of Thornville Royal, Lieutenant-Colonel of the West-York Regiment of Militia

The West York Militia was formed as part of a national movement to mobilize the local citizenry in preparation to reinforce the regular Army if needed to protect England. Yorkshire is critical to the protection of England from any invasion from Scotland and Colonel Thornton’s father William responded to the call to raise a troop of men from Yorkshire in 1745. He raised 100 men at his own expense and marched them into Scotland to meet the forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites at Falkirk where 75% of his men were killed and he barely escaped with his own life. He rejoined the English force and defeated the invaders. It was natural for his son, Thomas, to join the West York Militia where he served as a Lieutenant Colonel for over twenty years. The militias held regular annual musters to keep up training and readiness. As the troops were comprised of local Yorkshire men, it was natural that many would be known to the Colonel who had gained the respect and admiration of those in his command. One day during the muster at Roborough Camp near Plymouth, his men pulled him around camp in his carriage shouting hurrahs. This single event would become one of the defining moments in the Colonel's life as the event was followed by a court-martial. He felt the court-martial was instigated by jealous officers and the revenge of the Duke of York, the Commander in Chief of the militias over the sale of Thornville Royal. He spent the rest of his life trying to clear his name, even soliciting the support of Napoleon. This small publication was his attempt to supply written affidavits, personal testimony along with letters of commendation and support which he hoped would clear his name.