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

In March 1776 he embarked with his regiment, landed in America in May, and remained on active service till the peace, when he returned to England.

[6] Captain Champagné joined his corps in May 1784 in Jamaica, and in 1785 went with the expedition to the Spanish main; he continued in the West Indies five years, then returned to England.

He twice embarked in the latter year in command of his regiment for the coast of France: the misfortune at Quiberon prevented the first expedition from proceeding beyond Plymouth; the second, under Major-General Doyle, took possession of Isle Dieu, and remained on that service until January 1796, when he returned to England.

On 26 January 1797, he was appointed colonel by brevet, and in 1800 to the command of an expedition against Batavia, with the rank of brigadier-general, but which was subsequently countermanded.

[7] On 26 January 1832, he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order by King William IV.