Charles François Martique (ou Martigue)

Born on 10 April 10, 1777 in Versailles (Yvelines), died on 23 March 1825 at Chateau-Thierry (Aisne)

Charles Martique enters as cadet in the Swiss Guards Regiment on 10 August 1786. Dismissed when his regiment is disbanded in 1792, he volunteers in the 7th Hussars Regiment on 3 December 1792 and makes the campaigns of 1793 and 1794 in the army of the Rhine. He becomes Second-Lieutenant in the 2nd Hussars Regiment on 15 June 1795 and makes the campaign of this year in the Army of Holland. He is transferred with his rank in the 4th Chasseurs-a-Cheval Regiment on 28 November 1795 he is promoted to Lieutenant on 13 June 1796 and makes the campaigns of 1796 and 1797 in the army of Sambre-and-Meuse. He becomes Captain on 15 November 1797 and supernumerary Major on 13 July 1799 and makes the campaign of this year in the Army of the Danube and those of 1800 and 1801 in the Army of Italy where he fights during the siege of Genoa. He is transferred with his rank to the 11th Hussars Regiment on 23 October 1800 and he is confirmed as Major on 19 September 1801. He is awarded Knight’s cross of the Legion of Honour on 14 June 1804 and takes part in the campaigns from 1805 to 1808 in the Army of Naples. He becomes Lieutenant-Colonel in the 30th Dragoons Regiment on 7 April 1809 and makes the campaign of 1809 in Italy and Austria.

He then makes the campaign of 1813 in Saxony, where he is raised to the rank of Chevalier of the Empire on 1st January 1813, is appointed Colonel of the 23rd Dragoons Regiment on 29 March and is awarded Officer’s cross of the Legion of Honour on next 29 August.

After the Restoration, he is awarded Knight’s cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint-Louis. During the Hundred Days, he is appointed Colonel of the 3rd Light Horses Lancers Regiment on 19 April 1815 and distinguishes himself at Waterloo where he is wounded.