POWELL, ATHERTON FFOLLIOT, Major,
was born 6 January 1858, son of Captain Thomas ffolliot Powell, formerly of
the 16th Lancers, and HM's Commissioner of Prisons for Scotland. He was
educated at Cheltenham, and joined the Royal Artillery as Lieutenant 31
January 1878, and served in the Sudan, 1885-80, with the Frontier Field
Force (Despatches, Medal and clasp, Bronze Star). He became Captain 21 July
1886, and Major 29 August 1896. In 1897-98 he took part in the operations
on the North-West Frontier of India, with the Tirah Expeditionary Force,
taking part in the action of Dargai. Operations on the Samana Range and in
the Kurram Valley (Medal with three clasps). Major Powell served in the
South African War, 1899-1902 (on Special Service with the Rhodesian Field
Force, 6 April 1900 to 30 September 1901); and was present at operations in
the Transvaal and Cape Colony 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902; operations in
Orange River Colony, May and June 1901. 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]: "Atherton
ffolliot Powell, Major, Royal Garrison Artillery. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to
Lord Kitchener, and presented by Lieutenant Colonel Vyvyan at Vryberg. He
was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 2 November 1904; commanded the Heavy
Brigade at Plymouth, 1906-10; was given the Brevet of Colonel 2 November
1907, and retired with the rank of Colonel 4 December 1909. Colonel Powell
rejoined the Army for temporary service 7 October 1914, and became
Commandant, Siege Training Centre, Deepcut. He married, in 1904, Alice,
daughter of Major S H Powell, of Park Hill, King's Lynn, and they had one
son and one daughter.
