Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/O'Malley, George
O'MALLEY, GEORGE (d. 1848), major-general, was a volunteer in the Castlebar yeomanry when the town was attacked by the French under Humbert on 27 Aug. 1798, and was present when the place was attacked a fortnight later by a strong rebel force, which was defeated by the yeomanry and a company of Fraser fencibles. O'Malley was confirmed as a lieutenant in the Castlebar yeomanry by Lord Cornwallis in recognition of his services, and soon after joined the North Mayo militia, from which he brought volunteers to the 13th foot. He was appointed ensign on 23 Feb. 1800; served with the 13th at Ferrol and in Egypt, where he was severely wounded in the action of 13 March 1801, and afterwards at Malta and Gibraltar. For his success in recruiting in Ireland he received a company in the new second battalion 89th foot on 25 April 1805, and served with it until Colonel Henry Augustus (afterwards thirteenth Viscount) Dillon or Dillon-Lee [q. v.] raised the 101st foot, in which O'Malley was appointed major. By his activity and local connection in Mayo he assisted materially in forming the regiment. He served with it in Ireland and Jersey, and was despatched with three hundred men to St. John's, New Brunswick, in 1808, when war with the United States was imminent, and the Americans were collecting a large force near that place. For his services in command of that garrison for eleven months, and the exemplary conduct of the troops under his command, he received the freedom of the city on 19 July 1809. As major, he afterwards commanded the regiment four years in Jamaica, obtaining the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel 4 June 1813. The regiment was disbanded as the 100th in 1817. His repeated applications for employment in Europe were unsuccessful, but on 12 June 1815 he was appointed to the 2nd battalion 44th foot, and commanded it in Picton's division at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. On l5 June the battalion lost very heavily, being reduced to five officers and two hundred men. O'Malley was twice wounded and had two horses shot under him, but did not leave the field (C.B. and medal). He commanded the battalion in France until it was disbanded in 1816, when he was placed on half-nay. He was appointed major 38th foot on 12 Aug. 1819, and lieutenant-colonel 88th Connaught rangers on 2 June 1825. He commanded that corps, which he had in a fine state of discipline, until promoted major-general on 23 Nov. 1841. He died in London on 16 May 1843. A statue was erected to him at Castletown, Isle of Man.
[Army lists; Naval and Military Gazette, 20 May 1843. p. 310.]