Peter Bonnevaux

A French national, Bonnevaux was watchmaker at the Palace of Versailles before leaving for England to escape Protestant prosecution in 1765.

On 2 July 1797 he was appointed General Officer Commanding and Military Governor of Ceylon, but died ten days later when his curricle overturned as he was leaving Colombo.

Bonnevaux became the watchmaker to the royal court at the Palace of Versailles in 1764, but a year later escaped to England due to French persecution of Protestants.

[1][2] Bonnevaux was given command of the European Brigade for operations in the Invasion of Ceylon in February 1796.

His stint in command was brief, as on 12 July his curricle overturned as he drove out of Colombo, killing him.