DE FALBE, VIGANT WILLIAM, Captain, was
born 10 November 1867, son of Captain C V M de Falbe, Danish Royal Navy, and
of Emmeline McArthur. He was
educated privately, then went through Sandhurst, and entered the Army 22
August 1888; was promoted Lieutenant 15 October 1890; was Adjutant, North
Staffordshire Regiment, 22 January 1898 to 21 July 1902; became Captain 18 May
1898. He served in the South African War, 1900-1902, as Adjutant, 2nd
Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, and was present at operations in the
Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Karee Siding,
Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May
1900, including actions near Johannesburg; operations in the Transvaal, west
of Pretoria, September and October 1900; operations in the Transvaal 30
November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette,
27September 1901]; received
the Queen's Medal with three clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was
created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27
September 1901]: "Vigant William de Falbe, Captain, North Staffordshire
Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South
Africa". He was awarded the DSO for his good services in South Africa for
nearly three years, being Adjutant of his battalion all the time. The
Insignia were presented by the King 24 October 1902; the Warrant sent 4
November 1902. He was promoted Major 7 April 1906. He became Lieutenant
Colonel 14 March 1913, commanding his Battalion The Prince of Wales's (North
Staffordshire) Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel de Falbe again saw active
service in the European War, 1914-15, commanding his battalion in France from
September 1914, till December 1915, when he was given the 185th Infantry
Brigade, West Yorkshire Regiment. His health failing, he returned from France
in September 1917, and was given the Home Counties Reserve Brigade until
demobilized in 1919, when he was given No 9 Regimental District. He was
mentioned in Despatches; created a CMG in 1915, and promoted to Brigadier
General 1 January 1916. He became full Colonel on 14 March, 1917, though at
that time holding the rank of Brigadier General, which continued until 22
February, when he went to Warley, commanding No 9 Regimental District.
Brigadier General de Falbe married in 1912, Amy Rhone, youngest daughter of
Edmund Hanbury, of Poles, Hertfordshire, and they had one son who was born in
1910 and died in 1917 and three daughters.
