John Laforey - Seven Years War

Seven Years War

Laforey was born to Lieutenant-Colonel John Laforey and his wife Mary Clayton in 1729, although the actual date is unknown. The Laforey family was descended from a prominent French Huguenot line which fled to England in the 1690s and became prominent military figures within their adopted country. Nothing is known of the younger John's childhood or education but in 1748 he became a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. Seven years later, in the early stages of the Seven Years War, Laforey was personally promoted by Commodore Augustus Keppel to commander, taking over HMS Ontario as his first commission.

Three years later, Laforey commanded HMS Hunter at the Siege of Louisbourg in French Canada under Edward Boscawen. on 25 July 1758, Laforey earned distinction in command of the small force of sailors and marines who entered the harbour and burnt the French ship of the line Prudent and captured the Bienfaisant. For this service, Laforey was rewarded by Boscawen with promotion to captain and command of HMS Echo. He continued in service under Boscawen and was present during the capture of Quebec.

By 1762, Laforey had been transferred to the West Indies under Admiral Rodney and participated in his capture of the French island of Martinique. After the peace in the same year, Laforey remained in the West Indies and married Eleanor Farley, daughter of major Antigua landowner and politician Francis Farley. He would later inherit substantial estates from his father-in-law. In 1770, Laforey returned to his naval career, briefly taking over the frigate HMS Pallas. For the next six years, Laforey remained in semi-retirement until the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1776 recalled him to service.