DUGDALE, JAMES GORDON, Lieutenant, was
born at Burnley 27 July 1874, second son of James Dugdale, of Ivy Bank,
Burnley, and Sezincot, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, JP for Lancashire
and Gloucestershire, by his wife, who was a daughter of John Brooks, of
Sezincot, Moreton-in-Marsh, JP for Westmorland. He was educated at
Marlborough, and Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated BA, 1895. He was
gazetted Second Lieutenant, 18th Hussars, 1 December 1897, and served with
great distinction in the South African War, 1899-1902, taking part in
operations in Natal, 1899, including actions at Elandslaagte, Rietfontein and
Lombard's Kop; the defence of Ladysmith, including sortie of 7 December 1899,
and action of 6 January J900; operations in Natal, March to June, 1900,
including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); operations in the Transvaal,
east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900,including actions at Belfast (26
and 27 August) and Lydenberg (5 to 8 September); operations in the Transvaal,
30 November 1900 to September 1901, and November 1901 to 31 May 1902;
operations in Orange River Colony, March and May 1902,; and operations on the
Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October 1901. For his services he
was twice mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901, and 25
April, 1902]; awarded the Queen's Medal with five clasps, the King's Medal
with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service
Order [London Gazette, 26 June, 1902]: "James Gordon Dugdale, Lieutenant, 18th
Hussars. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa".
He was promoted Lieutenant 24 February 1900; Captain, November 1904, and from
18 June 1904 to 1907 was Adjutant to the West Somerset Imperial Yeomanry. He
retired in 1908, and was placed on the Special Reserve of Officers. He held
the appointment of Brigade Major, 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade, 1909-10.
He rejoined his regiment on the outbreak of war, and went to France, where he
saw much hard fighting, and was twice mentioned in Despatches, viz, in Sir
John French's Despatch of 14 January 1916 [London Gazette, 17 February 1916],
and in Sir Douglas Haig's of 13 November 1916 [London Gazette, 4 January
1917]. He was appointed Assistant Provost-Marshal. He has had two French
decorations conferred upon him, being a Chevalier de la Merite agricole, and
holding the Medaille d'honneur (silver, 2nd Class). He married, in 1903,
Ellen Mabel, daughter of Major General Compton-Turner, and had two sons: J
Frederick C, born 1904, and Nigel, born 1908; and a daughter, Pamela M.
DSO, MVO 4th
Class, MC, QSA (5), KSA (2), 1914-15 Star, BWM, Victory Medal with MID,
Special Constabulary Medal, Order of Agricultural Merit (France) 4th
Class.
Regimental Museum
Cannon Hall 2000.
