Champagné was born into a family of French Huguenot exiles in Ireland,[1] the son of the Very Rev.

He had six sisters, including Jane, who married the Earl of Uxbridge; Henrietta, wife of Sir Erasmus Dixon Borrowes, 6th Baronet; and Marianne, wife of Sir Charles des Voeux, 1st Baronet.

[7] He served in the Southern Colonies during the American Revolutionary War[8] and took part in the Battle of Wetzell's Mill in 1781.

[11] He started officiating as Commander-in-Chief, India in 1807 and was also appointed colonel of the 1st Battalion of the 95th Regiment of Foot in 1809.

[12] Promoted to lieutenant general on 25 July 1810,[13] he ceased officiating as Commander-in-Chief, India, following the appointment of Sir George Nugent, 1st Baronet in 1811.