DUNCOMBE SHAFTO, ARTHUR, Lieutenant,
was born in London 8 April, 1880. He was the only surviving son of Charles
Ottiwell and Mrs C Duncombe Shafto, of 9 South Bailey, Durham. He was
educated at the Durham School, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and
obtained his commission in the Northumberland Fusiliers in October 1899,
becoming Captain in December 1903. He served in the South African War,
1899-1900, and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February
to May 1900; in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; in
Orange River Colony, May to November 1900; in Cape Colony, south of Orange
River, 1899-1900; was present during the operations in the Transvaal, December
1900 to August 1901; also in Orange River Colony, August 1901 to 31 May 1902
(Despatches [London Gazette, 16 March, 1900, and 10 September 1901]; Queen's
Medal with three clasps, and King's Medal with two clasps). He was created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September
1901]: "Arthur Duncombe Shafto, Lieutenant, Northumberland Fusiliers. In
recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". From 1905 to
1908 he was Staff Captain of the Border Grouped Regimental District and from
1908 to 1910, of No 5 District. In May 1908, he was transferred to the Royal
Scots. He was serving with his battalion when he was killed in action at
Audincourt on the 20th August 1914. Captain Duncombe Shafto had married
Marguerite Cecile Catherine, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Stapleton, 19th
Hussars, and left two children, Mark, born in August 1905, and Betty.
