CB recipients, surname A - C

Alderson, Major Edwin Alfred Hervey, Royal West Kent Regiment

Son of Colonel Edward Mott Aldcrson, of Povle House, Ipswich; was born in 1859; was educated at Ipswich Grammar School; entered 97th Regiment 1878, became Captain Roy. W Kent Regiment 1886, Major 1896, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel 1897, and Brevet Colonel 1900. He served in the Transvaal Campaign with Mounted Infantry in 1881; during Egyptian Campaign of 1882, with Mounted Infantry, being present at actions of Mahuta and Masamch, battles of Kasassin and Tel-el-Kebir, and the occupation of Cairo (medal with clasp, bronze star); in the Sudan Campaign 1884-5 with Mounted Infantry Camel Regiment, when he was present at the battles of Abu Klea, El Gubat, and Metemmeh (two clasps). He did good work in Mashonaland, 1896, with Mounted Infantry and in command of troops (despatches, medal, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel), and in South Africa 1899-1902 in command of four different Mounted Infantry Brigs., being present at relief of Kimberley, battles of Paardeberg and Driefontein, and the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria (several times mentioned in despatches, CB, ADC to the King, Brevet Colonel); was DAAG and Comdg. Mounted Infantry, Aldershot, 1897-9; appointed to command Mounted Infantry in South Africa 1900, Inspector General thereof, with rank of Brig. General; appointed Brig. General-on-Staff Comdg. 2nd Brig. (1st Div.) 1st Army Corps, 1903; has been an extra ADC to HM Queen Victoria and HM King Edward VII Since 1900; received Royal Humane Society's medal 1885; author of With the Mounted Infantry and the Mashonaland field Force, 1896; also of Pink and Scarlet, or Hunting as a School for Soldiering. He married in 1886 Alice Mary, 2nd daughter of Reverend O P Sergeant.

Allenby, Major E Henry Hynman , 6th Dragoons

Born in 1861, he was commissioned into 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons in 1881.  Between 1884-88, he served in expeditions to Bechuanaland and Zululand.  Fought throughout the South African War with consistent success, latterly as a column commander, becoming a Colonel.  He commanded the 5th Lancers from 1902 to 1905.  In 1915, he commanded V Corps and later the Third Army.  Sent to Egypt in 1917 to command and lead the British to victory over the Turks in Palestine and Syria.  Allenby was promoted to Field Marshal in 1919 and created Viscount Allenby of Megiddo and of Felixstowe in that year.  He remained in the Middle East as High Commissioner for Egypt and the Sudan until 1925 when he retired.  He died in 1936. 

Of Sydney, and of the Australian Club, was born in NSW Jan 26, 1866. He raised and commanded a squadron of Mounted Rifles at Picton, NSW in 1889; was selected by the general officer commanding for training with the Imperial troops in India, 1893-4, where he gained certificates as an instructor. He joined the General Staff as Permanent Adjt. of the Mounted Rifle Regiment in South Africa, 1894, and commanded the 1st contingent of Mounted Rifles there; served in the Boer War in 1899-1901, chiefly in De Lisle's corps under Generals Ian Hamilton, Alderson, and Hutton. Until Feb, 1900, he was in command of a detachment NW of Cape Colony, when he joined Lord Roberts' advance and was present at the relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, the occupation of Bloemfontein, actions at the Vet and Zand Rivers, Johannesburg, and Pretoria (June 4), Diamond Hill, and the operations in connection with the pursuit of De Wet in the Wittcbergen (mentioned in despatches, CB). On his return to NS Wales he was appointed Chief Instructor of the Australian Light Horse, ADC to the Governor-General, and promoted Lieutenant Colonel for his services. He married Oct 24, 1901, Agnes, eldest daughter of Thomas Polk Willsallen, of Gunnedale, NSW.

Appelbee, Colonel E B, Army Ordnance Department

Lieutenant Colonel, 1898. Staff service: Employed with Egyptian Army, 1887-93; Orderly Officer 3rd class, 1896-98; Orderly Officer 2nd class, 1898. War service:  Boer War, 1879-81 (medal with clasp); Sudan Expedition 1884-85 (medal with 2 clasps; bronze star); Sudan, 1888-89 (3rd class Medjidie); Boer War, 1899-1900; Chief Orderly Officer, Lines of Communication.

CB (Mil n/b), CMG (n/b), Egypt (1) The Nile 84-85 (Lr R Welsh Fus), IGS (1) Burma 85-7 (Capt 1st RWF), QSA (5) CC TH OFS RofL Tr (Lt Col 2/Linc Regt), KSA (2) (Lt Col CB Linc Regt).  Spink Circular Jul 80 £825.

Ashby, Lieutenant Colonel G A, DCLI

Thomas James Atherton was born on 19 August 1856, and educated at Charterhouse. He entered the 12th Lancers in 1880, and succeeded to the command of the regiment in South Africa, during the Boer War, after the death in action of Lieutenant-Colonel The Earl of Airlie.  The 12th Lancers were heavily engaged at Magersfontein where, with the 9th Lancers, they fought dismounted on the right flank.  After taking part in the Relief of Kimberley they fought conspicuously at Diamond Hill, where they charged to save the guns of “Q” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery.  It was during this charge that the Earl of Airlie was killed and Atherton was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and assumed command.  Atherton led the regiment in the sweeps around Rustenburg and Magliesberg that took place at the end of 1900, including the actions at Eland’s River and Wittebergen.

At the end of November 1900, Atherton handed over command of the regiment and, in July 1901, was given command of a cavalry column, comprising 480 12th Lancers and two guns of “Q” Battery RHA, newly formed by General French to combat the menace of Kritzinger who had re-invaded Cape Colony in May 1901.  The sweep by the eleven columns along a line of 150 miles was reasonably successful and, once they had turned round and gone back on themselves, even more so.  By the end of August 80 Boers had been killed, and on 12 August Kritzinger was driven out of Cape Colony. In the following three months Atherton’s column was one of five that ceaselessly chased and harried Gideon Scheepers over Cape Colony.  Scheepers was eventually captured, condemned and executed as a rebel.  The remnants of Scheepers’ men headed west to join up with Smuts, and Atherton’s column was broken up in November 1901.

Atherton was created a Companion of the Bath on 27 September 1901, and mentioned in Lord Roberts’ despatch of 29 November 1900, London Gazette 10 September 1901.  During the Great War he served in the rank of Colonel with the Reserve Regiment of Cavalry and with the Labour Corps in France.  He was twice mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 4 January and 11 December 1917, and created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, London Gazette 1 January 1918.

CB n/b, CMG n/b cr 1 Jan 18, QSA (6) RofK Paar Drie Joh DH Witt (Lt Col CB 12/R Lcrs), KSA (2) (Lt Col CB 12/Lancers), 1914-15 Star (Bt Col CB), BWM, VM + MID (Bt Col).  Sotheby's Feb 85.  Spinks Oct 99 £2,500.  DNW Mar 02 £2,100.

Aylmer, Lieutenant Colonel E K G, 19th Hussars

He served in the South African War, 1879, Zulu Campaign, Action of Inyezaneand, battle of Ginginhlovo. Medal with clasp.
Boer War, 1899-1902, In command of the 2nd Battalion East Kent Regiment from 17 Oct 00. Relief of Kimberley. Operations in the Orange Free State, Feb to May 00, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 Feb.); actions at Poplar Grove and Driefontein. Operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 Nov. Operations in Orange River Colony, May to Jun 00. Despatches, LG 10 Sept 01.

CB, SAGS (1) QSA (4), KSA (2).

 

Baden Powell, Major General Robert Stephenson Smyth

Born Robert Stephenson Smyth Powell.  He was commissioned into 13th Hussars and early specialised in 'scouting and reconnaissance'.  He served 1880-90 in Zulu War, 1895-96 in Second Ashanti Campaign (West Africa), returned to South Africa 1896-97 for special duties in Matabeleland. In 1899 he was sent to South Africa to form two regiments to protect Bechuanaland and Matabeleland.  Achieved great fame as defender of Mafeking, but less success later as a column commander pursuing C R de Wet. 

He was born on the 22nd February 1857.  In 1869 he changed his last name to Baden-Powell in honour of his late father, Professor Baden Powell of Oxford.  He was a godson of Robert Stephenson, the celebrated engineer.  In 1870 he was nominated by the Duke of Marlborough for Charterhouse, where he distinguished himself not only by his mental but moral qualities, while his irrepressible spirits caused him to be looked upon as the life of the school.  In addition to his other accomplishments he was a polo-player and pig-sticker, good shot and artist. His favourite mottoes were "Don't flurry; patience gains the day" and "A smile and a stick will carry you through any difficulty in the world".  He entered 13th Hussars, 1876; Major General, 23rd May 1900.  Staff service:  ADC to GOC Cape of Good Hope, 1888; AMS and ADC to GOC Cape of Good Hope, 1888-90; AMS and ADC to Governor of Malta, 1890-93.  Special Service, Ashanti, 1895-96; South Africa, 1899-1900.  War service:  Operations in Zululand, 1888 (honourably mentioned); Ashanti Expedition, 1895-96 (honourably mentioned; Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel, Star); Operations in South Africa, 1896 (Despatches; Brevet of Colonel); South African War, 1899-1900; Mafeking.  His troops nicknamed him 'Bathing towel' because of his open bathing habits during the Siege.  Afterwards on Staff.  Promoted Major General for distinguished services in the field.   In 1900 Milner entrusted him with raising and training the South African Constabulary.  In 1910 he retired to devote most of the rest of his life to the Boy Scouts Movement started in 1908 as a result of his periodical Scouting for Boys.

Banfield, Lieutenant Colonel R J F, Welsh Regiment

Entered 1871; Lieutenant Colonel, 1896.  Staff service: DAAG for Inst.  W District 1887-92.  War service: South African War, 1899-1900; Operations at Paardeberg; severely wounded, 18th February 1900.

Was born Oct 8, 1856, and is son of the Reverend J T Barter. He was educated abroad, and received his first commission in the Army in 1875; acted as instructor at the Royal Military College from 1884-9, and from then until 1894 was employed at the War Office as DAAG In the following year he was appointed Military Secretary to the Governor of Cape Colony and High Commissioner of South Africa. He served in the Ashanti Expedition in 1895-6, with the Special Service Corps (Star); the operations on the North-West Frontier of India in 1897-8; with the Tirah Expeditionary Force (despatches, and medal with two clasps); and the Boer War in 1899-1902, in command of 2nd Battalion Yorks Light Infantry; took part in the advance on Kimberley, including the actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River, and Magersfontein; the operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, including the actions at Lindley, Bethlehem, and Wittehergen. He commanded the troops at Rietfontein, and acted as Station Commandant there (despatches, QSA with four clasps, King's Medal with two clasps, and CB).

Basing, Lord, Lieutenant Colonel G L, 1st Dragoons

Entered 1st Dragoons, 1882; Major 1898.  War service: Boer War (Despatches).  Lord Basing was born in 1860, and married, in 1889, the daughter of Mr John Hargreaves, Maiden Erleigh, Berks, and Whalley Abbey, Lanes.

Bayly, Lieutenant Colonel A W L, Indian Staff Corps

    See his DSO entry.

Entered RN 1864; Captain, 1895.  War Service: Commanded Philomel, and landed in command of Naval Brigade, Boer War, 1899-1900.

Beauchamp, Lieutenant Colonel H G P, 20th Hussars

Belfield, Colonel Herbert Eversley

See his DSO entry.

Joined 21^st Hussars, 1869, Colonel 1898. Staff service, ADC to Lieutenant Governor North West Provinces, India 1877; employed with the Egyptian Army 1893-94; DAAG for Inst, Dublin, 1895-98; AAG South East district 1898-99; special service South Africa 1899-1900, AAG South Africa 1900. War services, Fenian Raid, Canada (medal with clasp), South African War, 1899-1900; on staff.

Bewicke-Copley, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Calverley Alington Bewicke, KRRC

Born 1855.  Entered 1876.  Lieutenant Colonel, March 1900.  Staff service: ADC to Lieutenant Governor, Bengal, 1880; DAAG, Barbados, 1890-92; Headquarters, Ireland, 1892-95; AMS and ADC to Lieutenant General, India, 1896-98.  War service:  Sudan Expedition 1884-85 (medal with clasp; bronze star); Operations in Chitral, 1895 (medal with clasp); NW Frontier of India, 1897-98 (Despatches; February 1898; 2 clasps); Tirah, 1897-98 (Despatches; April 1900; clasp); Boer War, 1899-1900.

His Obituary from the KRRC Chronicle (1923):  The announcement of the rather sudden death of "Algy" Bewicke-Copley gave a shock to his old friends in the Regiment.  He had always appeared to be the very picture of health, and as active as ever in mind and body; an activity but recently displayed in candidature for the House of Commons and in a visit to South America.  Our friend joined the 4th Battalion at Agra in 1877, and entered with keenest zest into all the Regimental sports and pursuits.  In the field of pig-sticking he did so well that, but for a piece of very bad luck, he would undoubtedly have won the Kadir Cup. After three years of service in India he was transferred to the 1st Battalion in Ireland and, with two intervals—one of active service in Egypt and the other of the Staff College-remained therein until 1890, when he received the appointment of DAAG at Barbados.  The next ten years Bewicke-Copley spent on the Staff, partly in Ireland, partly in India. During the South African War he was promoted to the command of the 1st Battalion, and gained considerable distinction as leader of a flying column, in which capacity his coolness and presence of mind appeared to great advantage and gave every confidence to his troops.  After the war he received further appointments on the Staff, but in 1912 retired from the Service.  In the Great War the General's activities gained him the KBE.  Within a few hours of his death he was followed to the grave by Lady Bewicke-Copley, who had just received instruction that the ancient barony of Cromwell had been revived in her favour, and would be inherited by her son.

KBE (Mil) 1st Type, CB (Mil), Egypt Medal (1) The Nile 1884‑5 (Lieut), IGS 1895 (4) Relief of Chitral 1895 Samana 1897 Punjab Frontier1897-98 Tirah 1897‑98 (Maj  KRRC), QSA (6) CC TH OFS RofL Tr LN (Lt  Col), KSA (2) (Lt Col CB ), 1911 Coronation Medal, Khedive's Star 1884-6

Blackburn, Lieutenant Colonel R I, South Lancs Regiment

Born in 1854.  He was posted Lieutenant in the 13th Hussars on 11 February 1875.  He served in the Egyptian War, 1882, the East Indies, 1875-78 and 1879-90, Southern Afghanistan, 1880-1881, and South Africa, 1899-1901.  He took part in the relief of Ladysmith, including the actions at Colenso and operations at Vaalkrans, Tugela Heights and Pieter's Hill.  He was station commandant, Transvaal and the Orange River Colony.  During the Great War, he was commandant of the POW camp at Leigh 1915-17.  He died in 1925. 

Blair, Lieutenant Colonel F G, 4th Imperial Yeomanry

He was born in 1856, and is son of Reverend F H Bond. He was educated at Marlborough College and the Royal Military Academy; entered the Royal Engineers in 1876, and served in the Zulu Campaign in 1879 (medal with clasp); the Egyptian Expedition in 1882, being present at the actions at Kassassin, the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, and the march to and occupation of Cairo (medal with clasp and bronze star); the Hazara Expedition in 1891 (despatches, medal with clasp); operations on the North-West Frontier of India in 1897-8, with the Tirah Expeditionary Force (medal with two clasps); and the Boer War in 1901-2, on the Staff, including the operations in the Transvaal (QSA with three clasps and CB). Colonel Bond is at present AQMG in the Punjab. He married, in 1881, Alice, daughter of W Vivian.

Borton, Lieutenant Colonel C E, Norfolk Regiment

Boyes, Major General J E

John Edward Boyes was born in June 1843, the son of John Boyes of Cheltenham. His younger brother, Duncan, won a VC with the Royal Navy at Shimonoseki in Japan in 1863. 
Commissioned into the 75th Regiment in October 1861, he was advanced, by purchase, to Lieutenant in January 1867, and to Captain, again by purchase, in October 1868. Receiving his Majority in December 1880, he accompanied his regiment, now the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, on the expedition against Arabi Pasha in 1882, being present at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir on 13 September. For his services in the campaign he was given the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1882, in addition to being mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 2 November 1882) and awarded the Turkish Order of Osmanieh, 4th class. In 1884, Boyes again accompanied the 1st Battalion during the Suakin Campaign, being present at both the Battles of El-Teb and Tamaai. Shortly thereafter he served with the Battalion in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85.Advanced to full Colonel in November 1886, he succeeded Colonel F F Daniell as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, in July 1887, a position he occupied until handing over to Colonel T S Gildea in February 1891.  A Major-General by the time of the Boer War, Boyes commanded the 17th Infantry Brigade of Rundle’s “Starving” Eighth Division from the time of its arrival in South Africa in April 1900. He proved to be a solid Brigade Commander who never suffered a disaster or mishap and was created a CB and mentioned in despatches for his command during the Brandwater Basin and Eastern Free State operations. A vivid account of his operations can be found in E C Moffet’s With The Eighth Division.  17th Brigade comprised the 1st Battalion, Worcester Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment and 2nd, 77th and 79th Batteries RFA.  It was frequently split up and sent to different parts of the Orange Free State as Roberts continued his clearance operations in July and August 1900.  Boyes had his Headquarters at Fricksburg and Vrede at different times and became immersed in the beginnings of the Guerilla War.  The General retired to Abbotsham in North Devon.

CB b/b s/g.  Egypt (4) Tel-El-Kebir Suakin 1884 El-Teb-Tamaai The Nile 84-85 (Maj 1/Gord High).  QSA (3)  CC Trans Witt (Maj Gen).  Turkey, Order of Osmanieh, Officer’s b/b.  Khedive Star 1882.  Spinks, Oct 99, £2,600.  DNW Mar 05 £3,500.

  Click on the image to enlarge.

Broadwood, Major Robert George, 12th Lancers

Born in 1862.  He joined the 12th Lancers in 1881 and served in Egypt and the Sudan, before taking command of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade in the South African War.  Brevet of Colonel, 1898.  Staff service: ADC to GOC Belfast District, 1892; employed with Egyptian Army, 1892-99; Brigadier-General, Cavalry Brigade, South Africa, February 1900.  Fighting in the Orange Free State, he captured the town of Lindley and seized the Republican Government in Reitz, which was followed by operations in the Transvaal.  From 1903 to 1904 he was in command in Natal.  War service: Expedition to Dongola, 1896 (Despatches; Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel; Egyptian medal with 2 clasps; medal); Nile Expedition, 1897 (2 clasps to Egyptian medal, 4th class Osmanieh); Nile Expedition, 1898 (Despatches, May and September 1898; Brevet of Colonel; 2 clasps to Egyptian medal; medal); South African War, 1899-1900.  From 1903 to 1904 he was in command in Natal.   As Lieutenant General, he was given command of the 57th Division in the Great War.  He was killed in action in June 1917 near Armentieres.

Entered 1874; Colonel, 1899.  Staff service: DAA and QMG, Egypt, 1884-85; Equerry to the Queen, 1899; Major General, Cavalry Brigade, Natal, 1899.  War Service: Egyptian Expedition, 1882 (medal with clasp; bronze star); Sudan Expedition, 1884-85 (Despatches; clasp; Brevet of Major); South African War, 1899-1900.

Brooke, Lieutenant Colonel L G, Connaught Rangers

Entered 1869; Brevet Colonel, 1899.  Staff service: Adjutant Auxiliary Forces, 1881-86.  War service: Boer War, 1879; Ulundi, slightly wounded (Despatches; medal with clasp); Boer War, 1899-1900; Ladysmith Relief Force; Colenso, dangerously wounded.

Brown, Major R S , Queensland Mounted Infantry

This officer rendered valuable service with the Queensland Mounted Infantry.

Bullock, Lieutenant Colonel George Mackworth, Devon Regiment

He was born in India 15 Aug 1850. He was educated at Cheltenham College, University College, Oxford, and the RMC, Sandhurst, passing into the old 11th Foot in 1872. He commanded the 2nd Devons from Jan, 1897, to November, 1900, and arrived in SA from India, where he held several staff appointments, in time to take part in the relief of Ladysmith and battle of Colenso. He afterwards commanded the Sub District of Volksrust, and from April, 1901, until the end of the war he commanded a column (despatches, brevet of Colonel, QSA with 3 clasps, KSA with 2 clasps, CB). Proceeding to Egypt, Colonel Bullock acted as AAG from November, 1902, to Mar 31, 1903,when he was appointed CSO, Egypt. He married, June S, 1884, Amy Isabel, daughter of Jas. Fred Thomson.

Burney, Major H H , Gordon Highlanders

Born 1859, was the son of the Reverend Canon Burn-Murdoch. Entered 1878; Brevet-Colonel, 1st Dragoons, 1898.  Staff service:  Brigade-Major of Cavalry, 1890-91; Brigade-Major Cavalry Brigade, Aldershot, 1891-94; employed with Egyptian Army, 1894-95; Brigadier - General Cavalry Brigade, South Africa, February 190x3.  War service: Sudan Expedition, 1884-85 (medal with clasps; bronze star); Expedition to Dongola, 1896 (Despatches, Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel, Egyptian Medal with 2 clasps); South African War, 1899-1900; on Staff. 

Burton, Lieutenant Colonel B, Royal Artillery

Major Cameron served with distinction with the Tasmanian Mounted Infantry.

Campbell, Major General B B D

Entered 1864; Major General, 1898.  MVO.  War service: Egyptian Expedition, 1882; (medal with clasp; bronze star); South African War, 1899-1900.

Entered 1880; Major, 1899.  Staff service: Deputy Assistant Director of Railways, South Africa, 1899.  War service: Operations on NW Frontier of India, 1898 (medal with clasp); Boer War, 1899-1900; on Staff; Commanding Railway Pioneer Regiment.

Carr, Lieutenant Colonel E E, Royal Scots Fusiliers

Edward Elliott Carr was born on 31 May 1854, son of Deputy Surgeon-General JK Carr MD R.A.  He was educated privately and entered the Army in 1873, being appointed to the Royal Scots Fusiliers.  He served with the 2^nd battalion on the NW Frontier of India 1897-98, including the action at the Ublan Pass on 27 Aug 1897 and in Tirah, in the operations against the Khani Khel Chamkanis.  He commanded the 2^nd battalion in South Africa from 23 Nov 1899, and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the operations of 17 to 24 Jan and 5 to 7 Feb 1900, and action at Vaal Krantz; operations on the Tugela Heights, and the action at Pieter’s Hill where, leading his regiment in the final attack, he was severely wounded.  The heavy losses incurred by the regiment at this action, together with those of the Irish and Dublin Fusiliers, all part of Barton’s Fusilier Brigade, were tempered by the fact that the capture of Pieter’s Hill resulted directly in the relief of Ladysmith.  Colonel Carr was mentioned in General Buller’s despatches; as was Sergeant-Major Steele for "conspicuous coolness and devotion in building up stone sangars under heavy cross-fire round Lieutenant Colonel Carr, who was lying wounded, and protecting his commanding officer until he was removed after dark".  Steele was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.  After recovering from his wounds, Colonel Carr resumed command of his regiment and took part in the actions at Frederickstad, later being appointed Commandant of that town.  For his services in South Africa he was created a Companion of the Bath.  During the Great War Colonel Carr served at home as Assistant Adjutant and Quarter-Master General of the Lowland Division in 1914, and as Inspector of the Lines of Communications, 1914-15.  He went to France in 1915 where he Commanded No.16 Base Depôt and, from 1916 to 1918, he Commanded Reinforcements in France.  He was mentioned in despatches by the Secretary of State for War in Feb 1917; by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig in Dec 1917, and created a CBE in 1919.  Colonel Carr died at Sidmouth, Devon, on 18 May 1926.

CB (m) (b/b converted to n/b), CBE (1^st mil), IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Major, 2nd Bn. Ryl. Sco. Fus.), QSA (4) CC TH RofL Tr (Lieutenant Colonel CB RSF), KSA (2) (Colonel CB RSF), 1914-15 Star trio + MID (Col).  DW 11 Jun 96 £1,150.

Entered 1868; Lieutenant Colonel, 1898.  Staff service: DAAG, Bengal, 1879-81.  War service: Afghan War, 1879 (medal); Boer War, 1899-1900; severely wounded.

Carthew-Yorstoun, Lieutenant Colonel A M, Royal Highlanders

Entered 1875; Lieutenant Colonel, 1899.  Staff service: Adjutant Volunteers, 1890-95.   War service: Boer War, 1899-1900; Paardeberg; wounded. 

Entered 11th Foot 1873; Colonel, 1899.  Staff service: ADC to Lieutenant General, Afghan Campaign, 1878; ADC to Commander in Chief, Madras, 1881-85 > Persian Interpreter to Commander in Chief in India, 1885-89 (DAA and QMG, Burmese Expedition 1886-87); Colonel on Staff, India, 1899; Private Secretary to Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief the Forces, South Africa, 1899-1900.  War Service: Afghan War, 1878-80, wounded (Despatches, February, January, May, 1880; medal with 4 clasps; bronze star); Burmese Expedition 1886-87 (Despatches; medal with clasp; Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel); Boer War, 1899-1900; on Staff.

Chichester, Captain Edward, Royal Navy: Baronet CMG

Born in 1849, and was son of the 5th Bart., whom he succeeded in 1898. He entered the Royal Navy in 1864 as a cadet, and was gazetted Commander in 1882, Captain in 1889, and Rear-Admiral in 1902. He acted as Naval Transport Officer in Natal during the Boer War in 1881-2, and was Lieutenant of the Thalia during the Egyptian War in 1882 (Egyptian medal and Khedive's bronze star); served in the Sudan Expedition in 1884-5 as Transport Officer, and was thanked by the Admiralty for the prompt manner in which the forces for the Nile Expedition were landed. In 1887 he was further thanked by the Admiralty and the Board of Trade for his valuable services on the Board of Trade Committee of Inquiry on British Drift Net Fisheries, and a year later was thanked by the Admiralty and the Board of Trade for judgment and tact displayed when he was employed as senior officer in protecting the North Sea Fisheries. In 1891 he again elicited the thanks of the Board of Trade for services rendered while serving on a Committee on Fishing Boats' Lights. Sir Edward Chichester acted as ADC to Queen Victoria in 1899, and served in the Boer War in 1899-1900 as Naval Transport Officer at Cape Town (despatches and CB). In 1901-2 he acted as ADC to King Edward VII Rear-Admiral Chichester is succeeded by his son, Lieutenant Edward George Chichester, RN . He married, in 1880 Catharina, daughter of Commander R C White RN.  He died Sep, 1906.

Lieutenant Colonel, August 1889 (late Captain Rifle Brigade).  War Service —Boer War, 1899-1900 (Despatches).

Clarke, Colonel R F Noel, Army Ordnance Department

War service: Sudan Expedition, 1884-85 (medal with clasp; bronze star); South African War, 1899-1900, Chief Ordnance Officer.

Clery, Colonel J A, Royal Army Medical Corps

Surgeon General James Albert Clery was born in 1846 and qualified as a Doctor (MB) in Dublin in 1870.  Appointed to the Army Medical Department the following year, Clery became Surgeon Major just prior to participating in the Gordon Relief Expedition, 1884-85, when he had charge of the Abu Dam Field Hospital (medal and clasp).  He next saw active service in the Sudan Campaign of 1896, for which he was mentioned in despatches.  On the outbreak of the Boer War, by which stage he had risen to the rank of Surgeon Colonel, Clery became Principal Medical Officer on the line of communication in Natal and participated in the Relief of Ladysmith operations.  His hospital was situated at Chieveley Siding, just south of Colenso, and by the end of hostilities he had received promotion to Surgeon General and another mention in despatches.  His CB was awarded by Royal Warrant dated 22 October 1901.

CB (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, Egypt (1) The Nile 1884-85 (Surgn Maj, MB, Med Staff), Queen’s Sudan (Lt Col, RAMC), QSA (6) CC TH OFS RofL Tr LN (Surgn General, CB, RAMC), officially corrected, KSA (2) (Surg Genl, MB, CB, RAMC), Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed, Khedive’s Sudan (0).  DNW 4 Dec 91 £1,800.  DNW Dec 06 £3,000.  eBay Apr 07 £3,750 no sale.

Clowes, Lieutenant Colonel P L, 8th Hussars

Entered 1875 Lieutenant Colonel, 1897.  Staff service: ADC to Commander in Chief, Bombay, 1890-91.  War Service: Afghan War, 1879-80 (medal); Boer War, 1899-1900.

Colleton, Lieutenant Colonel R A W, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Entered 1874; Lieutenant Colonel, May 1900.  Staff service: Adjutant Nagpur RVC, 1885-86; DAAG Bengal,1886-91.  War service: Hazara, 1891 (Despatches); Operations on NW Frontier of India, 1897-98 (medal with 2 clasps); Boer War, 1899-1900.

Entered 1875; Lieutenant Colonel, 1899.  Staff service: DAAG for Inst., Curragh District 1891-96; Commandant Naauwpoort, S.Africa, 22nd January 1900 to 1Oth February 1900.  War service:  Afghan War, 1878-79 (medal); Mahsood Wuzeeree Expedition 1881; Operations on NW Frontier of India, 1897 (medal with clasp); Boer War, 1899-1900; on Staff.

Colvin, Lieutenant Colonel R B, IY20

Entered 103rd Foot 1868; Brevet Colonel, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 1899.  Staff service: Adjutant Auxiliary Forces, 1884-89; Major General Infantry Brigade, South Africa, March 1900.  War service: Boer War, 1899-1900; on Staff.

Charles Duncan Cooper was born on 25 June 1849, son of Brigadier-General G L Cooper, Royal Artillery, who was killed during the relief of Lucknow.  He was educated at Christ College, Finchley, and began his military career at 19 years of age as an Ensign in the 2nd battalion, 103rd Regiment (Royal Bombay Fusiliers).  He remained with that regiment, which became the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1881, throughout his career.  He served as Adjutant to the 4th battalion (Dublin City Militia) from 1885 to 1889. When the Boer War broke out in 1899, he was ordered to South Africa in command of the 2nd battalion.  After arriving there, and upon the wounding of the regimental commander, Cooper was breveted a full Colonel and took overall command.  The Dublin Fusiliers formed part of General Sir Redvers Buller’s Western Field Force, comprising some 30,000 men, which was pushing its way to Natal to relieve the besieged garrison in the town of Ladysmith.  During the advance he took part in the action at Lombard’s Kop, the battle of Colenso, Spion Kop, Vaal Krantz, Tugela Heights, and Pieter’s Hill. At Colenso the Dublins, led by Cooper, suffered very badly.  General Hart, commanding officer of the Irish Brigade, of which the Dublins were a part, was of the old school and thought that correct assault tactics meant a repeat of parade ground drill in the face of the enemy.  Cooper, however, had witnessed the effect of Boer Mauser fire in previous attacks and knew that to march shoulder to shoulder into battle was tantamount to suicide; especially so inasmuch as at Colenso the Dublins were to advance along a very narrow front against an entrenched enemy.  Cooper spread his men out at intervals and ordered them forward.  General Hart saw this movement and beckoned Cooper to his side. “Sir, you will close ranks to the proper order” “General”, Cooper replied, “I fear the consequences, but do it I will”  The Dublins suffered a great many casualties in the attack, and they found themselves trapped in the open throughout the entire day before they could safely extricate themselves.  Shortly after the battle of Pieter’s Hill, advance mounted units of Buller’s army made their way into Ladysmith. The siege was over and the Dublin Fusiliers were specially selected to march into Ladysmith at the head of the relieving force, and Colonel Cooper, on horseback, was the first man to enter the town.  Cooper was promoted to the rank of local Major-General in March 1900, and given command of the 4th Infantry Brigade which he took through the operations in Natal, including the battle of Laing’s Nek.  In July 1900 he was appointed General Officer Commanding the Heidelberg sub-district.  He was mentioned in Buller’s despatch of 30 March, 1900, ‘a thoroughly good officer who led his regiment thoroughly well’, and again on 9 November, ‘was appointed to command on General Lyttleton’s promotion.  An excellent regimental CO, has proved himself equally valuable in command of a brigade, and shown himself to be a resolute, capable commander’.   He was subsequently appointed a Companion of the Bath in recognition of his services during the Boer War.  With the end of hostilities, Cooper was sent home to command 102nd regimental district, Naas, in 1903.  In 1905 he was promoted Brigadier-General in command of the North Irish Regimental grouped districts, and retired from the army in 1906 as a Major-General.  He was made Colonel of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 13 March 1910, a position he held until his death on 31 July 1922.

CB (m) (b/b converted to n/b), QSA (5) CC TH RofL Tr LN (Major Gen CB RDF), KSA (2) (Colonel CB Staff), 1902 Coronation, 1911 Coronation, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Regimental Medal, gold, inscribed on the edge (Maj Gen, CB), the suspension dated ‘1662-1911’, with gold ribbon bar inscribed ‘Colonel 13th March 1910’, and gold top suspension brooch inscribed ‘Old Toughs’.  DNW 30 Jun 98 £5,000.

Courtenay, Lieutenant Colonel A H, SR

See Glen 17 Sep 96

Coxhead, Lieutenant Colonel J A, Royal Artillery

Eyre Macdonnell Stewart Crabbe was born at Southampton on 15 March 1852, and educated at Harrow. He entered the Grenadier Guards as Ensign & Lieutenant in October 1871, and served with the Auxiliary Transport in the Egyptian war of 1882 (Medal, and Khedive’s Star). Promoted to Captain in November 1883, he was one of two officers of the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, specially selected for service with the Camel Corps in the Nile expedition of 1884-85, during which he served as Acting Quarter Master General to the Guards’ Camel Regiment, and was present at the actions of Abu Klea and El Gubat (mentioned in despatches, Brevet of Major, two clasps to Egyptian medal).  Confirmed in the rank of Major in June 1885, Crabbe was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1898, and assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. He took the regiment to South Africa on the outbreak of the Boer War, arriving at Cape Town on 15 November 1899. He subsequently took part in the advance on Kimberley, including the actions at Belmont - wounded, and Magersfontein; the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900 - seriously wounded 23rd March - including the actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River, and Zand River; in the Transvaal in May and June, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill; and in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29th November, including the action at Belfast (twice mentioned in despatches, C.B., Queen’s Medal with 5 clasps, King’s Medal with 2 clasps).  In the action at Belmont, Lieutenant Blundell was notoriously shot and mortally wounded by a wounded Boer, to whose assistance he was going. In a similar fashion a Boer lying on the ground with a smashed knee shot Colonel Crabbe at close range through the wrist and thigh, the command of the Grenadiers consequently devolving on Major Kinloch. Colonel Crabbe ‘might probably have been killed had not a private suddenly rushed to the rescue. The plucky fellow shot two of the enemy, silenced a third with his bayonet, and finally, amid a shower of bullets, carried off the Colonel to the shelter of an Ambulance wagon.’  Crabbe’s second wounding was altogether a most unfortunate incident. On the 23rd of March, 1900, some officers of the Guards Brigade rode off from Glen Camp in the early morning to make arrangements with the local farmers for ensuring forage and supplies. The party consisted of Colonel Crabbe, 3rd Grenadiers, Colonel Codrington, Coldstream Guards, Adjutant Hon E Lygon, Captain Trotter, and an orderly, Private Turner of the 1st Cape Volunteers. While riding along close to a homestead called Maas Farm, the Guards party discovered that four mounted men were making for a kopje as though to head them off. Whereupon the party instantly advanced to meet the enemy. These promptly hid themselves behind the friendly boulders, where they were joined by three other Dutchmen, who assisted them in pouring a smart shower of lead upon the approaching officers. These, with only four Lee-Metfords between them, made an effort to get at the unseen enemy, but in a very few moments all the members of the British band had dropped. Colonel Crabbe had a bullet through arm and leg, and his horse was killed. Colonel Codrington was injured in the thigh. Lieutenant Lygon was shot through the heart and died instantaneously, while Captain Trotter and Private Turner were also wounded. Then between the prostrate Colonels a debate took place. Now that resistance was useless, each invited the other to display a white handkerchief. One refused because he declared he couldn’t - his handkerchief was a crimson one. The other refused becaused he vowed he wouldn’t - his handkerchief was a British one, and never manufactured for waving at Boers. But, finally, he was brought to reason, and immediately on display of the magic square the Boers ceased fire. The prisoners were carefully tended by the Boers, however, who requested an ambulance to be sent from the Guards’ Camp, whereupon the wounded were given up by their captors and allowed to return to camp in the charge of the medical party. The body of the Hon. E Lygon was also removed, and buried the next day.  In the closing months of the war, Colonel Crabbe rendered invaluable service in command of a mobile column during the great hunt for De Wet and his fellow commando leaders. His most notable success was the capture of the Boer leader Kritzinger in December 1901. On returning from South Africa he was appointed Assistant Quarter Master General, 1st Army Corps, in November 1902. In April 1903, he was appointed Chief Staff Officer, 4th Army Corps, with the rank of Brigadier-General, which appointment he held until transferred to the 1st Army Corps at Aldershot, where he served until his death on 8 March 1905. Sold with a substantial quantity of research including a complete photocopy of First or Grenadier Guards in South Africa 1899-1902, published in 1907, the narrative of the 3rd battalion’s history having been written by Brigadier-General Crabbe, who only completed the work two days before he died.

CB b/b, Jubilee 1897, Egypt (2) The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (Lieut., 3/Grenr. Gds.); QSA (5) Belm Drief Joh DH Belf (Lt Col., CB, Gren. Gds.); KSA (2) (Col., CB, Gren Gds.); Khedive’s Star 1882.  Spinks Apr 68.  DNW Jul 04 £5,500

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Craddock, Major M, New Zealand Contingent

This officer commanded the 2nd Contingent of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles.

Lord Cranborne, born in 1861, was the eldest son of the 3rd Marquis of Salisbury.  He married the daughter of the 5th Earl of Arran.

Crewe, Major Charles Preston, Border Horse

He was the son of Captain Frederick Crewe, 17th Madras Infantry, and is descended from the Crewes of Crewe, Cheshire, of which family he is one of the few male representatives remaining. He was born in London on Jan 11, 1855, and was educated privately. Colonel Crewe has had a varied political and military career. He went to SA in March, 1878, and joined the Cape Mounted Riflemen, serving with this regiment through the Kaffir War, receiving for his services medal and clasp, 1878-79. He again saw service in the Basuto War of 1880-81, receiving medal and clasp. In 1881 he retired from the CMR and commenced farming. In 1898 he stood for Aliwal North for the House of Assembly, and was only defeated by two votes. In May of the following year he was returned to the Legislative Assembly for East Griqualand, and devoted himself to the reorganization of the Progressive party. At the general election in Feb 1904 he succeeded in ousting Mr J W Sauer from the representation of Aliwal North, and on the resignation of Sir Gordon Sprigg's Ministry immediately after the elections he joined Dr Jameson's Cabinet as Colonial Secretary.  On war breaking out in SA he raised the Border Horse Regiment (Feb 1900), and served first as Major commanding and was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in May 1900, and full Colonel in May 1901. He for many months commanded a mobile column of Colonial troops in the ORC, and later on took command of the Western Div. of the Cape Colony from November 1901 to the end of the war. He retired from the CCF Dec 31, 1902. For his eminent services Colonel Crewe was mentioned in despatches, received the CB, and the medal with clasps for Wepener, Transvaal, and Cape Colony. He married Helen Orpen, daughter of J M Orpen, late Surveyor General of S Rhodesia, on July 11, 1887.

Colonel Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton, was born in Thirsk on 31 May 1845 and was educated at Harrow.  He was a pioneer in the development of the electrical manufacturing and electricity supply industries and founded the firm bearing his name.  He was the first important British manufacturer of generators and was responsible for many improvements in generator design.  He commanded of the Corps of Electrical Engineer Royal Engineers Volunteers during the Boer War 1899-1900.  He had taken a prominent part in raising the Corps with the help of the Institution.  He was the founder of Crompton and Co.  Twice President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.  Past President Institution of Automobile Engineers.  Faraday Medallist.  James Forrest Lecturer.  Founder Member of Royal Automobile Club.  Publication: Reminiscences, 1928.  He died on 15 February 1940 in his 95th year.

CB (mil), Crimea Medal (1) Sebastopol (unnamed), QSA (3) CC Tr OFS (Maj Royal Engineers Vols), Turkish Crimean Medal.

 

Cuming, Lieutenant Colonel H B, Kaffrarian Rifles

This officer rendered valuable service with the Kaffrarian Rifles.

See his DSO entry.

Curteis, Lieutenant Colonel W F, Cheshire Regiment