SECCOMBE, ARCHIBALD KENNEDY, Major,
was born 22 March 1868. He was commissioned in the Norfolk Regiment 30
January 1889; served in the Nile Expedition, 1898 (4th Class Medjidie;
Medal; Egyptian Medal) and transferred to the Army Service Corps 15 May
1890, becoming Lieutenant 14 May 1891, and Captain 18 April 1894. He served
in the South African War, 1899-1902, as DAAG, 6 April 1901 to 30 October
1902. He took part in the operations in Natal, 1899, including actions at
Reitfontein and Lombard's Kop; at the Defence of Ladysmith, including
sorties of 7 and 10 December 1899, and action of 6 January 1900; during the
operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; in Natal (March
to June 1900), including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); in the
Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at
Belfast (26 and 27 August) and Lydenberg (5 to 8 September); again in the
Transvaal, November 1900 to April 1901; afterwards on Staff; also in Cape
Colony, April, to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London
Gazette, 8 February 1901 (Sir G S White, 23 March 1900; Sir R H Buller, 9
November 1900), and London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's
Medal with five clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. He was given
the Brevet, of Major, 29 November 1900, and was created a Companion of the
Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 20 June 1902]: "Archibald
Kennedy Seccombe, Major, Army Service Corps. In recognition of services
during the operations in South Africa". He became Major 1 January 1901;
Lieutenant Colonel 1 August 1910, and Colonel 16 December 1913. He served
in the European War 1914-18 as Deputy Director of Supplies, BEF and British
Armies in France from 13 May 1915; as Temporary Brigadier General from 5
April 1918. He was created a CMG in 1916 and a CB in 1919. Colonel Seccombe was married, and his wife, Mrs Julia Seccombe, died in 1915.
