STOKES, ALFRED, Major, was born 14
October 1860, son of Lieutenant General Sir John Stokes, KCB, of Ewell,
Surrey, and Henrietta Georgina de Villiers (who died in 1893), second
daughter of Charles Maynard, of Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope. He was
educated at Cheltenham, and joined the Royal Artillery, as a Lieutenant, 18
February 1880, serving in South Africa in 1881; in the Bechuanaland
Expedition 23 December 1884 to 12 March 1885, and was honourably mentioned
in Despatches. He became Captain 25 April 1888, and Major 25 December
1897. Major Stokes served in the South African War from 1899 to 1900; was
present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the operations of 17 to 24
January 1900, and action of 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, May and June
1900; operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29 November
1900; operations in Cape Colony, north of Orange River, including action at
Ruidam. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901];
received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of
the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Alfred
Stokes, Major, Royal Artillery. In recognition of services during the
recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King
3 June 1901. He became Lieutenant Colonel 14 November 1905; was given the
Brevet of Colonel 14 November 1908, and was promoted to Colonel 14 November
1910. Colonel Stokes was Temporary Brigadier General, commanding Royal
Artillery in India, from 22 December 1911, and served in the European War
from 1914; was mentioned in Despatches, and created a CB in 1915, and a CMG
in 1916. He retired from the Staff 2 September 1918, with the rank of
Brigadier General. Brigadier General Stokes married, in 1891, Margaret
Dunbar, daughter of Sir James Laing, of Etal Manor, Northumberland.
