Edward Wolfe

Lieutenant General Edward Wolfe (1685–26 March 1759) was a British army officer who saw action in the War of the Spanish Succession, 1715 Jacobite Rebellion and the War of Jenkins Ear. He is best known as the father of James Wolfe, famous for his capture of Quebec in 1759.

Early life

Wolfe was born in 1685 in York, of Irish Catholic descent. The family had been active in Irish nationalist circles, which had forced them to flee the country and settle in England. The family later converted to Protestantism and served in the military.

Wolfe acquired a commission as a lieutenant in 1700, rising quickly to captain in 1705 and becoming a brigade major during the Flanders Campaign of the Duke of Marlborough. In 1715 he served with General Wade in the Scottish Highlands, suppressing the Jacobite-supporting clans who had recently risen in rebellion.

The Treaty of Utrecht brought a long period of peace to Europe, limiting the opportunities for active service. In 1726 he married Henrietta Thompson, the sister of an MP Edward Thompson. In 1727 she gave birth to James Wolfe. Because of Edward's profession, James was immersed in military matters from a very young age. The family lived at Westerham in Kent, at what is now Quebec House, but moved to Greenwich in 1738 to be closer to London.

Edward Wolfe (RAF officer)

Wing Commander Edward Chatham Wolfe, DFC (1911 – 1994) was a famed World War II Royal Air Force fighter pilot who flew during the Battle of Britain.

Early life

Wolfe was born in Hong Kong on 11 Jun 1911, the son of the Hon E D C Wolfe, Inspector General of the Royal Hong Kong Police and Chief Officer of the Hong Kong Fire Brigade. He was educated at Grange School, Folkestone and Tonbridge School in Kent. Between 1929 and 1932, Wolfe worked as an apprentice with Merryweather and Sons (Fire-Engineers) at Greenwich, London, before working in the head office as a salesman and later as a fire prevention officer.

Aged sixteen, Wolfe took a ten-minute ‘joy-ride’ flight in a Vickers Virginia over Andover. This flight resolved his ambition to become a pilot.

Royal Air Force

Wolfe joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 4 Mar 1935 as an Aiman/untrained pilot. He undertook flying training at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Hatfield. He was promoted to a Sergeant on 18 Mar 1935.

Edward Wolfe (disambiguation)

Edward Wolfe was a British Army officer.

Edward Wolfe may also refer to:

See also