PONSONBY, JOHN, Captain, was born 25
March 1866, eldest son of General The Right Honourable Sir Henry Ponsonby.
He was gazetted to the Royal Irish Rifles 16 November 1887, and to the
Coldstream Guards 15 August 1888, becoming Lieutenant 29 June 1891. He was
ADC to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, 10 August 1891 to
30 January 1895; served in operations in Matabeleland (Medal); was promoted
to Captain 7 September 1898, and in that year served in Uganda (Medal), and
again in 1899, during the operations against Kabarega (clasp). Captain
Ponsonby served in the South African War, 1899-1902, on special service with
the Rhodesian Field Force, 19 February 1900 to 7 July 1901. He was
Adjutant, 5th New Zealand Regiment, 8 June 1900 to 1 January 1901;
afterwards in command 1 January to 18 January 1901. From February to May
1900, be was employed with Mounted Infantry, and he took part in operations
in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, from July to 29 November 1900;
operations in the Transvaal, February to June 1901; operations in Cape
Colony, February to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London
Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps,
the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the
Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "John
Ponsonby, Captain, Coldstream Guards. In recognition of services during the
operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 27
October 1901. He was promoted to Major 23 January 1904, and commanded the
Guards' Depot 1 March 1905 to 28 February 1907. He became Lieutenant
Colonel 28 October 1913. Lieutenant Colonel Ponsonby served in the European
War, 1914—18; commanded the 2nd Guards Brigade, BEF, 26 August 1915 to 19
November 1916: was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 January 1916; commanded the
Special Reserve Infantry Brigade 28 November 1916 to 7 March 1917; commanded
the 21st Infantry Brigade, BEF, 8 March to 20 March 1917; became Colonel 20
March 1917; commanded the 2nd Guards Brigade, British Armies in France, 21
March to 21 August 1917; commanded the 40th Division, British Armies in
France, 22 August 1917 to 3 July 1918; subsequently commanded the 5th
Division, British Armies in France, 4 July 1918 to 1 April 1919; was
promoted to Major General 1 January 1919. He was mentioned in Despatches;
created a CMG in 1915, a CB in 1918, and was given the Brevet of Colonel.
