William Lawford
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Sir William Lawford. Fictional British Officer and character in Bernard Cornwell Sharpe books.
Lawford's early life is unclear but he is a member of the minor aristocracy and as such was able to purchase a commisson as lieutenant in the 33rd Regiment of Foot and is likely to have fought at the Battle of Flanders. In 1799 along with Sharpe and the rest of the 33rd including Arthur Wellesley, Lawford is deployed on the Mysore Campaign against the Tipu Sultan. Lawford and Sharpe are asked by the high command to rescue an exploring officer named Colonel McCandless (who happens to be Lawford's uncle). As such the pair infiltrate Seringapatam, join the Tipoo's army, but are betrayed by Sergeant Hakeswill who has been captured. In the Tipoo's dungeons Lawford teaches Sharpe to read and write thus enabling him to be able to win sergeants stripes. After escaping he and Sharpe detonated a mine between the double wall meant for the assaulting British troops. The result of this both men are promoted and Lawford is sent to headquarters as a captain. The book Sharpe's Tiger describes the above in more detail.
The next time we meet Lawford is in Sharpe's Eagle. He is now a lieutenant colonel on Wellington's staff. Sharpe confides in Lawford that he is unsure of the South Essex's commander Henry Simmerson. At the Battle of Talavera Lawford dissmisses Simmerson from the field after the South Essex begin to buckle. Lawford is after the battle given command of the regiment, until in Sharpe's Company when he is wounded during the assault of Ciaudad Rodrigo and is sent home to England.
Back in England Lawford dedicates himself to his wife and politics after being elected as a Member of Parliament. He again encounters Sharpe in Sharpe's Regiment where he attempts to resolve the problems Sharpe faces after uncovering a crimping scandal.
Lawford is the regiment's second colonel preceded by Sir Henry Simmerson and succeeded by Colonel Windham.
