SMITHSON, WALTER CHARLES, Major, was
born at Heighington, Darlington, 26 January 1860, son of Samuel Smithson,
JP, of Lentran, Inverness, and of Mrs Samuel Smithson. He was educated at
Faithfull's, Storrington, and joined, the Militia in 1877, and the 13th
Hussars 7 January 1880, becoming Lieutenant 1 July 1881, and Captain 21
September 1885. He was Adjutant, 13th Hussars, 23 November 1887 to 22
November 1891; was ADC to Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, KP, 2 December
1891 to 30 September 1895. He was promoted to Major 1 July 1896. Major
Smithson served in the South African War, 1899 to 1902, and was severely
wounded. He was in command of the 13th Hussars 21 August 1901 to 31 May
1902, and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at
Colenso; operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop;
operations of 5 to 7 February 1900 and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on
Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900) and action at Pieter's Hill;
operations in the Transvaal, August to September 1901; October 1901 to April
1902, and May 1902; operations in Orange River Colony, April to May 1902;
operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October 1901;
operations in Cape Colony, August 1901. He was mentioned m Despatches
[London Gazette, 8 February 1901 (Sir R H Buller, 30 March and 9 November
1900), and London Gazette, 10 September 1901 (Field Marshal Lord Roberts)
and 29 July 1902 (Field Marshal Lord Kitchener)]; 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, 27 September
1901]: "Walter Charles Smithson, Major, 13th Hussars. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to
Lord Kitchener in South Africa, and presented there. He became Lieutenant
Colonel 1 July 1901; was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 July 1904, and
retired with the rank of Colonel 2 February 1907. During the European War
he commanded the 2/6th Gordon Highlanders, October 1914; was Officer
Commanding, Northern Cavalry Depot, Scarborough, Nov 1914 to February 1915;
was appointed to command 2/1st Yorkshire Mounted Brigade, February 1915 to
November 1916. Colonel Smithson was mentioned in the Secretary of State's
List [Supplement to the London Gazette, 24 February 1917]. He was given the
honorary rank of Brigadier General 14 August 1917, and was created a CBE in
1919. His favourite pursuits were pig-sticking, polo, stalking and
shooting. Brigadier General W C Smithson married, in February 1901, Anne
Charlotte Legendre Starkie, daughter of John Piers Chamberlain Starkie, of
Ashton Hall, Lancaster.
