DENNISON, CHARLES GEORGE, Captain, was
born 21 November 1844, at Cradock, Cape Colony, son of George Dennison,
Farmer, Cape Colony, and Mary Dennison (Webber). His father, who was a
volunteer, died of wounds received in the Kaffir War of 1851, in Lower Albany,
Cape Colony. He was educated at Graham's Town, and says: "I always, from my
boyhood, had a desire to be a soldier. My forefathers have nearly all been in
the Army or Navy; my grandfather served through the American War as a
Colour-Sergeant in the 55th Regiment, being wounded at Bunker Hill, and also
in the Peninsular War. South African boys of my age were born and lived for
years in an atmosphere of warfare and inured to danger and hardships, as also
subsequently, which has made our South African lads what they are. I have
commanded Regulars and troops from New Zealand and Australia, who are all fine
and brave men, but none so adaptable, so mobile, as our South Africans, who
have done many daring and gallant acts in our South African War. I allude to
English and Dutch combined. I first saw active service when I fought at the
age of 19 or 20 in the Free State War of 1865, with the Basutos, when I served
as a trooper in the Bloemfontein Rangers (OFS Republican Forces). I commanded
the Rustenburg Rifles, a local corps raised in Rustenburg, Transvaal Republic,
in 1876, with Thomas Burgher, the President of the Transvaal, in command of
his bodyguard. I was Second-in-Command of the Border Horse, under Colonel
Weatherley, under Colonel Sir E Wood in Zululand in 1879, and when they were
practically wiped out and both Colonel Weatherley and his son fell at Hlobane
on 28 March, was promoted to the command, with the rank of Commandant and
Colonel's pay (Zululand Medal); served under Sir Garnet Wolseley in Secocolm's Country (in the Boer
War of 1891), as Commandant, commanding Border Horse; raised troops on two
occasions in Bechuanaland; defeated the natives during the Rebellion of
Mashonwing River, Bechuanaland; captured the rebel chief Golishwe — who caused the
rising — in the Kalahari Desert, and thus stopped what might have been a
prolonged and costly rising to the Cape Government (Bechuanaland Medal);
raised Dennison's Scouts, and served with them as OC, with the Irregular
Mounted Forces in the Boer War of 1899-1902. I cannot give particulars as to
which particular act gained me the DSO. Got the Column—known as the
Kimberley Column—out of difficulties on different occasions during the Boer
War". He received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and the King's Medal
with two clasps; was mentioned in Despatches, and created a Companion of the
Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1802]: "Charles George
Dennison, Captain, South African Mounted Irregular Forces. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". He rose to the rank of
Major. Major Dennison had four grandsons fighting in the European War, two of
whom were severely wounded. He was particularly fond of hunting. Most of
this has been done in Mashonaland and Matabeleland. He often met Major F C
Selous, DSO, the great hunter, and knew him well. He married, 29 August 1867,
at Aliwal North, Annie M Hoffman, descendant on her mother's side of the De
Villieis family of French Huguenots, and their children were: Alexander
George, who fell in the Boer War; Lillie Elizabeth; Annie Mary; Clifford, who
fell in the Boer War; Harold James; Emmie, and Frederick Weatherley.
DSO, Zulu Medal
1879 (0) (Comdt Border Horse), CGHGSM (1) Bechuanaland (Capt Stellandbosch Horse),
QSA (3) CC OFS Trans (Maj DSO Dennisons Scouts), KSA (2) (Maj Western Light
Horse), Kimberley Star.
Spink 2002 est
£3000-3500.
