DAWNAY, THE HONOURABLE HUGH,
Lieutenant, was born on the 19th September 1875, second son of Viscount Downe
and Lady Cecilia Maria
Charlotte Molyneux, VA (who
died in 1910), daughter of the Earl of Sefton. He received his commission in
the Rifle Brigade in October 1895, and became Lieutenant in January 1898, and
took part in the Nile Expedition, being present at the Battle of Khartoum, and
being mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 30 September 1898]. He
received the Medal; the 4th Glass of the Order of the Medjidie, and the
Egyptian Medal with clasp. From February 1899 to November 190O, he was
Adjutant of his battalion, and in that capacity served in the South African
War in 1899 and 1900, being present at operations in Natal, including actions
at Lombard's Kop; the Defence of Ladysmith, including sortie of the 10th
December 1899, and action of the 6th January 1900. He was twice mentioned in
Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the
Queen's Medal with clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished
Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "The Honourable Hugh Dawnay,
Lieutenant, The Rifle Brigade. In recognition of services during the
operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 29
October 1901. He became Captain in the Rifle Brigade in March, 1901, and in
February of the same year was appointed ADC to the Commander-in-Chief. Major
Dawnay was transferred to the 2nd Life Guards, and served in the European
War. He was killed in action on the 6th November 1914. In 1902 he married
Lady Susan Beresford, daughter of the 5th Marquess of Waterford, and they had
four sons.
