HOME, ROBERT ELTON, Captain, was
born 29 May 1869, son of Colonel Robert Home, CIE, and of Elizabeth
Georgiana, daughter of Major H N Elton, MD, Indian Medical Service. He was
educated at Cheltenham, and entered the Army 17 February 1888, with a
commission in the Royal Artillery. He served in the Waziristan Expedition,
1894-5 (Medal with clasps); in the Punjab, 1897-8 (Medal with two clasps);
became Captain in November 1898. He served in the South African War,
1899-1902, in command of the 57th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery; Relief
of Ladysmith, including operations on Tugela Heights (17 to 24 February
1900), and action at Pieter's Hill; 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; operations in the Transvaal, 30
November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches three times
[London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901, and 29 July 1902];
awarded Queen's Medal with five clasps; King's Medal with two clasps, and
was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette,
31 October 1902]: "Robert Elton Home, Captain, Royal Garrison Artillery. In
recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became
Major 15 December 1903, and Lieutenant Colonel 6 January 1916. Colonel Home
was given the Brevet of Colonel on 1 January 1917, for services in
connection with the European War, as Commandant of the Ordnance College,
Woolwich, and also created a CBE 1 January 1919. He married, in 1904,
Delphine, youngest daughter of W J Etheridge, and they had two daughters:
Margaret Home and Isobel Blanche.
