SAVILE, GEORGE WALTER WREY, Major,
was born on 14 March 1860, at Torquay, Devon, son of Lieutenant Colonel John
Walter Savile, JP, and Sarah Emma Savile. He was educated at Marlborough
College, and joined the Army on 6 August 1879, as Second Lieutenant; was
promoted Lieutenant in 1880; Captain in 1887, and Major in 1900. He served
in the South African War from 1899 to 1902, and was present at the Relief of
Ladysmith, including the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at
Spion Kop (severely wounded); operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27
February 1900), and action at Pieter's Hill. Operations in the Transvaal in
June 1900. 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 Orange River Colony, June 1900.
Operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, in 1899. Mentioned in
Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901], received the Queen's Medal
with five clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April
1901]: "George Walter Wrey Savile, Major, Middlesex Regiment. In
recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The
Insignia were sent to South Africa, and presented there to Major Savile by
the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901. He commanded the 2nd
Middlesex Regiment from 1905 to 1909; served in the Great War from 1914 to
1919 as AA and QMG, 49th (West Riding) Division, 1914-1915; Officer
Commanding Troops, Town and Port, Rouen, 1915-1919; was three times
mentioned in Despatches, and created a CBE in 1919. He married Ellen Louisa
Parsons, daughter of Colonel A D
Parsons, 2nd Madras Lancers, in 1891.
