SHERSTON, WILLIAM MAXWELL, Captain,
was born 14 April 1859, son of J D Sherston, JP, Somerset, of Evercreech,
near Bath. He was educated at Marlborough, and Pembroke College, Cambridge;
enlisted in the 7th Dragoon Guards, 1877; was promoted Lieutenant in the
Rifle Brigade, 1882; made Captain, 18th Hussars, 1888, and retired from the
18th Hussars 8 August 1898; served in the South African War, 1881, Transvaal
Campaign; served in Egypt, 1884-85 (Medal and two clasps); in Burma, 1887
(Medal and one clasp; mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 2 September
1887]). He served in South Africa, 1900-1, with the Imperial Yeomanry,
during operations in the Orange Free State, May 1900, including actions at
Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; during operations in the Transvaal
in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and
Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); during operations in the Transvaal, east of
Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including action at Belfast (26 and 27
August). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April 1901],
and received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion
of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "William
Maxwell Sherston, Captain, Imperial Yeomanry. In recognition of services
during the operations in South Africa". He was appointed ADC to
Commander-in-Chief, 1901 to 1904; commanded North Somerset Yeomanry, 1904-9;
Sub-Lieutenant, RNVR, from August 1914; was subsequently
Lieutenant-Commander, Squadron of Naval Armoured Cars, Yeomanry Base Depot,
Egypt. Lieutenant Colonel, and Honorary Colonel from 1904; appointed to the
command of the Yeomanry at 'B' Divisional Base Depot in Egypt, and in April
1917, was posted to the command of the 22nd Infantry Base Depot, France, and
was Camp Commandant, 17th Corps, France, 1918. Colonel Sherston was a JP
for Somerset. He married, in 1894, Evelyn Maude Maitland, eldest daughter
of J Maitland Spencer, of Oakhill, near Bath.
DSO, IGS 1854
Burma 1885-87 (Lt, RB), Egypt (2) The Nile 1884-85 Abu Klea (Lt, 2/RB), QSA
(5) CC OFS Joh D-H Belf (Maj, DSO, IY), 1914-15 Star (Lt Cdr, RNVR), BWM,
Victory Medal (Col), 1902 Coronation, Khedives Star 1884-6.
Sotherbys 1981
£600. DNW 2002 est £2500-3000.
