GUBBINS, RICHARD ROLLS, Captain, was
born 14 December 1868, eldest son of Reverend Richard Shard Gubbins, Rector of
Upham, Hants, and of Ellen Rolls, sister of the 1st Baron Llangattock. He was
gazetted to the Shropshire Light Infantry 1 March, 1890, becoming Lieutenant
21 December 1891, and Captain 24 June 1899. He served in the South African
War, 1899-1902, and was present at operations in the Orange Free State,
February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg, 17 to 26 February
(slightly wounded); actions at Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (5 and 6
May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900,
including actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria; operations in the Transvaal,
east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; operations in the Transvaal, west
of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Elands River (4 to
16 August); operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900,
including action at Rhenoster River; operations in Cape Colony, south of
Orange River, 1899-1900. He served as Adjutant, 2nd Battalion
Shropshire Light Infantry, 11 to 31 May 1902: operations in the Transvaal 30
November 1900 to August 1901, and January to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in
Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 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]: "Richard Rolls Gubbins, Captain, Shropshire Light Infantry. In
recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia
were presented by the King 29 October 1901. Captain Gubbins was Adjutant,
Shropshire Light Infantry, 1 April 1902 to 31 March 1905, and Adjutant,
Militia, 28 September 1905 to 31 March 1908, and was promoted to Major 17 June
1908. He retired 6 March 1912, and entered the Reserve of Officers. Major
Gubbins served in the European War from 1914 as Temporary Lieutenant Colonel
and Temporary Colonel, and was mentioned in Despatches. A newspaper report
said: "Official news has been received at Old Hall, Rockliffe, that Colonel R
R Gubbins, DSO, is missing. Colonel Gubbins, who held a Staff appointment
abroad, was recently returning to duty, and the vessel on which he was
travelling was sunk. One of the officers on board was not saved, and as
Colonel Gubbins is reported missing there is grave reason to fear that he is
the officer who has lost his life. Colonel Gubbins, who is 49 years of age,
is the eldest son of Reverend Richard Shard Gubbins, Rector of Upham,
Hampshire, and his mother was the sister of the 1st Baron Llangattock. In
1902, he married Agnes Edith, eldest daughter of Mr G W Mounsey-Heyshani, of
Castletown, and there are two sons. Since his retirement from the Army he has
lived at the Old Hall, Rockliffe. He was a very capable man of business, and
took an active part in the management of the Castletown estates. His military
career was spent in the Shropshire Light Infantry, in which he received his
commission in 1890, Captain R C Moutisey-Heysham being a brother officer. He
served in the Boer War, in which he gained the DSO, and held the Queen's Medal
with three clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. He retired from the
Army with the rank of Major in 1912, and was placed in the Reserve of
Officers. When the present war broke out he rejoined the Army, and was for a
time employed on transport duty at Newcastle, subsequently receiving an
appointment on the Staff. He was appointed a magistrate for Cumberland in
1913". The report of Colonel Gubbins's death proved to be true. It occurred
on 24 January 1918.
