Keith, I guess you could say he is the army version of "Hornblower"
I'm currently reading a book about Thomas Cochrane (the chap who Horatio Hornblower, Jack Aubrey et al were essentially based upon). It's called Cochrane the Dauntless by David Cordingly. A very readable account of a truly extraordinary life.
If you like your swash well buckled, Cochrane is your man.
