HARRIS-ST JOHN, CHARLES EDWARD,
Lieutenant, was born 10 November 1873, at Tilney Hall, Rotherwick, Hants,
eldest son of Charles Edward Harris-St John, JP (of Sheldons, Hook; Borough
Court, Winchfield, Hants, and West Court, Finchampstead, Berks), and of
Jessie St John, daughter of Henry St John, of West Court. He was educated
at Eton, and was commissioned in the 5th Lancers 20 May 1895, becoming
Second Lieutenant, 16th Lancers, 25 September 1895, and Lieutenant 9 October
1899. He served in the South African War, 1900-2 (severely wounded); took
part in the advance on Kimberley; was present at the relief of Kimberley;
took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900,
including those at Paardeberg (18 to 26 February); actions at Poplar Grove,
Karee Siding, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Yet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand
River; in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near
Johannesburg; in the Transvaal, west, of Pretoria; in Orange River Colony,
including actions at Bethlehem (7 July) and Wittebergen; again in Orange
River Colony 30 November 1900 to June, 1901; also in Cape Colony, June 1901
to 31 May 1902 (Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; Queen's
Medal with five clasps and King's Medal with two clasps). He was created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service, Order [London Gazette, 27 September
1901]: "Charles Edward St John Harris, Lieutenant, 16th Lancers. In
recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The
Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the GOC, Cape Colony District,
and presented by Colonel E Bethune at Middelburg, Cape Colony, 27 July
1903. He was promoted to Captain 29 January 1902; was Adjutant, 16th
Lancers, 8 August 1902 to 26 January 1906; Major 19 December 1910 and
Lieutenant Colonel 3 December 1918. He served in the European War; with the
16th Lancers from July to May 1915, when he was invalided. He was Assistant
Military Secretary, British Armies in France, 17 July 1916, to July 1918,
and was mentioned in Despatches in January 1918. He was appointed to
command the 16th Lancers, as from 19 December 1918. Lieutenant Colonel
Harris-St John had the 1915 Star. He was awarded the Spanish Order of
Military Merit in 1906. On 3 October 1911, at Whitchurch, Salop, he married
Winifred Rose, daughter of Charles Tertius Dugdale, of Terrick Hall,
Whitchurch, Salop, and they had two sons: Edward Dugdale bom 2 August 1914;
and Charles Dugdale, born 30 April, 1919; and two daughters: Anne and
Rosamund Adela. His name was changed to Harris-St John 12 April, 1907.
