William Lawford

Sir William Lawford. Fictional British officer and character in Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books.

Lawford's early life is unclear (save for growing up in Portsmouth and being half Scottish) but he is a member of the minor aristocracy and as such was able to purchase a commission as a Lieutenant in the 33rd Regiment of Foot and is likely to have fought at the Battle of Flanders. In "Sharpe's Tiger", in 1799 along with Sharpe and the rest of the 33rd including Arthur Wellesley, Lawford is deployed on the Mysore Campaign against the Tipoo Sultan. Lawford and Sharpe are asked by the high command to rescue an exploring officer named Colonel McCandless (who happens to be Lawford's uncle). As such the pair infiltrate Seringapatam, join the Tipoo's army, but are betrayed by Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill who has been captured. In the Tipoo's dungeons Lawford teaches Sharpe to read and write thus enabling him to be able to win Sergeants stripes. After escaping he and Sharpe detonated a mine between the double wall meant for the assaulting British troops. As a result of this both men are promoted and Lawford is sent to headquarters as a Captain.

The next time we meet Lawford is in "Sharpe's Eagle". He is now a Lieutenant Colonel on Wellington's staff. Sharpe confides in Lawford that he is unsure of the South Essex's commander Henry Simmerson. At the Battle of Talavera Lawford dissmisses Simmerson from the field after the South Essex begin to buckle. Lawford is given command of the battalion after the battle until, in "Sharpe's Company", he is wounded during the assault of Ciudad Rodrigo, losing an arm, and is sent home to England.

Back in England Lawford dedicates himself to his wife and politics after being elected as a Member of Parliament. He again encounters Sharpe in "Sharpe's Regiment" where he attempts to resolve the problems Sharpe faces after uncovering a crimping scandal.

Lawford is the battalion's second Commanding Officer preceded by Sir Henry Simmerson and succeeded by Colonel Windham.