9 February 1666: The birth of Field Marshal George Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney. During the Williamite War in Ireland, Hamilton commanded a regiment at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690, at the siege of Athlone in June 1691 and at the Battle of Aughrim, where he was wounded, in July 1691. He also commanded a regiment at the Siege of Limerick in October 1691. During the War of the Spanish Succession, he served under the Duke of Marlborough at the battles of Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet. He would be the first British Army officer to be promoted to the rank of field marshal.
