Afterwards F.-M. Sir Alexander Woodford, G.C.B. and G.C.M.G. Elder brother to Col. John G. Woodford (see Staff). On the death of Sir Ralph Woodford, Bart., Governor of Trinidad, Alexander Woodford became the head of this ancient family. His father was descended maternally from the Brideokes, of classical memory, of whom Dr. Brideoke, the “sometime” chaplain to James, the 4th Earl of Derby, in the reign of Charles I., was a good specimen of the “fighting parson” of olden days. This same Dr. Brideoke became Dean of Salisbury, and, by his extraordinary presence of mind and address, saved the heroic Countess of Derby, and her house at Latham, from being stormed by the Cromwellian army. In like manner did his descendant, Alexander Woodford, defend the farm of Hougomont in the early part of the afternoon of Waterloo Day against the repeated and vigorous attacks of the French. C.B. for Waterloo. Had previously served in the Pa. and received the gold cross and one clasp. Was also K.M.T., and K. St. G. of Russia. Filled high commands in the Ionian Islands and elsewhere. Col.-in-Chf. 40th Foot, 1842. Transferred to the Scots Fusilier Guards 15th Dec., 1861. D. 26th Aug., 1870. Footnote 2: Afterwards Gen. Sir James Macdonell, G.C.B. and K.C.H., Col.-in-Chf. 71st Highland L.I. Was 3rd son of Duncan Macdonell, of Glengarry, and bn. at the family seat in Inverness-shire. Served in the Pa. and also at Maida, for which he recd. the gold medal. Macdonell’s gallant defence of Hougomont is a matter of history. More than once was the place nearly taken by the French. “The French, however,” says Siborne, in his graphic account of the battle of Waterloo, “succeeded in forcing the gate; but the defenders betook themselves to the nearest cover, whence they poured a fire upon the intruders, and then rushing forward a struggle ensued which was distinguished by the most intrepid courage on both sides. At length Lt.-col. Macdonell, Capt. Wyndham, Ensigns Gooch and Hervey, and Sergt. Graham, of the Coldstream Guards, by dint of great personal strength and exertions, combined with extraordinary bravery and perseverance, succeeded in closing the gate against their intruders.” The struggle for the possession of Hougomont went on the whole day until the French retreat set in late in the evening. C.B. and K.M.T. for Waterloo. D. 15th May, 1859. Footnote 3: The historian of the Coldstream Guards, 2nd son of Wm. M’Kinnon, who was a direct descendant of Lachlan M’Kinnon, of the Isle of Skye, who was made a Knight Banneret by Charles II. on the field of Worcester. Maj. in above regt. 22nd June, 1826, bt.-col. same date. M. a dau. of John Dent, and d. s. p. 22nd June, 1836. Footnote 4: