Christopher Chowne

General Christopher Chowne (1771–15 July 1834), born Christopher Tilson and also known as Christopher Tilson-Chowne, was a British Army officer most notable for his service in the Peninsular War. He joined the army in 1788 and after periods of service in the 23rd Regiment of Foot and an Independent Company, he became lieutenant-colonel of the 99th Regiment of Foot in 1794. The 99th were disbanded in 1797, and Chowne joined instead the 44th Regiment of Foot in 1799. He commanded the regiment at the battles of Abukir and Mandora in the British campaign in Egypt in 1801. In 1805 he was appointed a brigadier-general, as which he served in the Anglo-Russian occupation of Naples later in the year and subsequently in the West Indies.

Chowne was promoted to major-general in 1808 and in the following year began serving in the Peninsular War. He commanded a brigade in a column commanded by William Carr Beresford that unsuccessfully attempted to cut off the French army after the Second Battle of Porto, and then resigned his command because of disagreements with Portuguese units in the force. He was then given a brigade in Rowland Hill's 2nd Division with which he fought at the Battle of Talavera and temporarily commanded the division when Hill was injured. He returned to England as a staff officer in 1810 but re-joined the 2nd Division as its acting commanding officer "under Hill" in 1812. He commanded a diversionary column at the Battle of Almaraz but by the end of 1812 had relinquished his command.

Long thought of as an incompetent officer who lacked energy and ability, Chowne was recalled from the Iberian Peninsula for the last time in December 1812 and did not see action again. He was promoted to general in 1830 and died four years later in London.