HUGHES-HALLETT, JAMES WYNDHAM,
Major, was born at Petham, near
Canterbury, Kent, 15 September 1852, third surviving son Reverend James
Hughes-Hallett, of Higham,
Canterbury, and Dunmow, Essex, and of Mary Frances, eldest daughter of General Sir Thomas Gage Montresor, KCKH. He was educated
at Haileybury and Sandhurst, and was gazetted to the 53rd Foot as
Sub-Lieutenant 26 June 1872, and transferred to the 72nd Foot 15 November
1872, becoming Lieutenant, 27th Foot, 26 June 1873. He served during the
Afghan War, 1878-70, with the Kurrain Field Force, and was present at the
reconnaissance in force and assault and capture of Peiwar Kotal, and at the
passage of Chappri defile.
He was mentioned in Despatches, and received the Medal and clasp. He became
Captain, Seaforth Highlanders, 2 September 1880, and served in the Egyptian
Expedition of 1882, being present at the engagement of Chalouf; at the
seizure of the Suez Canal, east of Ismailia; at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir,
occupation of Zagazig and of Cairo. He was mentioned in Despatches [London
Gazette, 8 September 1882]; received the Medal with clasp, and the Khedive's
Bronze Star. He became Major 27 March 1800, and in 1895 served with the Chitral Relief Force, in command of the 2nd Battalion of his regiment. He
was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 15 November 1895], and created
a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 21 January
1896]: "James Wyndham Hughes-Hallett, Major, Seaforth Highlanders. In
recognition of services during the operations of the Chitral Relief Force".
He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 22 December 1897. Lieutenant Colonel
Hughes-Hallett served in South Africa, 1899-1902, in command of his regiment
and temporarily in command of the Highland Brigade. He took part in the
advance on Kimberley, including the action at Magersfontein. Operations in
the Orange Free State, February to May 1900 (including operations at
Paardeherg, 17-26 February); actions at Poplar Grove and Driefontein.
Operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900 (slightly
wounded), including actions at Wittebergen (1 to 29 July).
Colonel Hughes-Hallett distinguished himself in
the South African War. After the death of General Wauchope he took command
of the Highland Brigade at Magersfontein. We read also, in the 'Official
History of the War in South Africa', how he relieved the garrison at
Jagersfontein, and of his services under General Macdonald and under Sir
Bindon Blood. He was mentioned in
Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]; was given the Brevet of
Colonel; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, the King's Medal with
two clasps, and was created a CB. He was promoted to Colonel 5 August
1902; commanded the 72nd and 79th Regimental Districts, 1902; was created a
CVO in 1905. On 5 August 1906, half-pay, late Regimental District, and on
20 October 1906, on retired pay. He commanded the Gordon Volunteer Infantry
Brigade, 1906; commanded the Gordon Territorial Brigade, 1906-11. His
favourite recreations were shooting and cricket. Colonel Hughes-Hallett
married, on 26 October 1893, Alice, daughter of Captain Harry William
Sanders.
