Henry Trollope

Admiral Sir Henry Trollope, GCB (20 April 1756 – 2 November 1839) was an officer of the British Royal Navy. Early life Henry Trollope was born the son of the Reverend John Trollope of Bucklebury on 20 April 1756. His paternal grandfather, also named Henry, was the brother of Sir Thomas Trollope, 4th Baronet. Early career Trollope entered the Royal Navy at the age of fourteen in April 1771. He joined the ship of the line HMS Captain, flagship of Rear-Admiral John Montagu, which subsequently sailed to the North America Station. While on board Captain Trollope rose from captain's servant to able seaman and then to midshipman. The ship returned to England in 1774 and Trollope then transferred to the ship of the line HMS Asia, also on the North America Station, to serve in the American Revolutionary War. As such he fought at the Battle of Lexington on 19 April 1775 and at the Battle of Bunker Hill on 17 June. At both battles he served in Asias small boats, covering the British retreat at Lexington and assisting in landing the troops at Bunker Hill. His actions during these battles resulted in him being temporarily assigned to HMS Kingfisher soon afterwards to assist in the British response to the rising up of Virginia. Trollope subsequently fought at the Siege of Boston before in 1777 reverting to his position on board Asia to return to England. He was promoted to lieutenant on 25 April 1777 and as such joined the fourth-rate Bristol as her third lieutenant. Bristol soon sailed to New York conveying a group of troop ships. Upon arriving Trollope was chosen to take Bristols boats up the North River in an attempt to reinforce the army of General John Burgoyne with more soldiers. Burgoyne surrendered before Trollope could reach him and he returned to Bristol. The ship joined the fleet of Vice-Admiral Lord Howe off Delaware and subsequently participated in the capture of Philadelphia on 26 September.