CB recipients, surname L - O

Lassetter, Lieutenant Colonel H B , New South Wales Mounted Rifles

Entered 1869; Lieutenant Colonel, 1897.  Staff service: Adjutant Volunteers, 1887-92.  War service: Afghan War, 1878-79 (medal); Boer War, 1899-1900.

Lawley, Lieutenant Colonel R T, 7th Hussars

Legge, Major N, 20th Hussars

See his casualty entry and his DSO entry.

This gallant officer served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons.

Lindsell, Lieutenant Colonel R F, Gloucester Regiment

Born in 1856, Robert Frederick Lindsell joined the 28th in 1874.  Lindsell spent over 20 years with the 28th (later the 1st Battalion of the Gloucester Regiment), serving mainly in the Far East.  He was a popular and caring officer and a good all-round sportsman.  In 1898 he took over command of the 2nd Battalion in Jersey, from where they were sent to South Africa.  He was wounded and invalided home, but returned to South Africa to command a brigade.  He later settled in Jersey where he commanded the Militia and Territorial Forces.  He died in a drowning accident off the island's coast in 1914.

Lloyd, Lieutenant Colonel F, Grenadier Guards

See his DSO entry.

Lloyd, Lieutenant Colonel G E, West Riding Regiment

See his casualty entry and his DSO entry.

Lousada, Lieutenant Colonel F P, Yorks and Lancashire Regiment

See his DSO entry.

Lucas, Lieutenant Colonel A G, IY MVO

Lumley, Lieutenant Colonel F D, MiR

This patriotic volunteer, through whose exertions 'Lumsden's Horse' came into being, has passed much of his life in tea-planting in India, but nevertheless has perpetually interested himself in the Volunteer movement.  When the demand for extra troops for the Transvaal arose, he cabled an offer to provide a corps, and soon after Lumsden's Horse with its gallant promoter (who had spent over £3,000 in his work), took ship for South Africa.

See Sotheby’s 21 Oct 82 and Gibbons Dec 79 £4,400

Frederick St. Leger Luscombe joined the Navy in 1870 as Naval Cadet and was promoted Midshipman in July, 1872, and Sub Lieutenant in April, 1876.  As Lieutenant he served aboard Hecla in Egypt and landed with the Naval Brigade for the protection of Suakin, 1884.  He held 2nd class certificates in Seamanship, Gunnery and Navigation, and 1st class in Torpedo.  Promoted Commander in 1894 and Captain in 1899, Luscombe proceeded aboard HMS Doris for Transport Duties in South Africa.  He served as Transport Officer at Port Elizabeth during the Boer War, 1899-1900, and after the return of Captain Sir Edward Chichester to England became Principal Transport Officer in South Africa.  He was mentioned in Lord Kitchener's despatch of July, 1902, for services rendered in the Transport Department in South Africa.  See the page on naval KSAs.

CB (m) (b/b), Egypt (0) (Lt HMS Hecla), QSA (1) CC (Capt RN HMS Doris), KSA (2) (Capt RN), Khedive Star.  BDW May 93 £1,400.

Macbean, Lieutenant Colonel F, Gordon Highlanders

Australian soldier, author and politician, was born on 5 June 1859 at Wallendbeen, New South Wales.  He was given command of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen Contingent which sailed from Sydney in April 1900. The Bushmen were sent to Rhodesia and placed under the command of Sir Frederick Carrington. They moved to Mafeking in July and into the western Transvaal. Outside Zeerust, he was injured when his horse fell. He was sent to Cape Town and in November 1900 was appointed chief Staff officer for the Australian contingents.

Mackenzie, Major C J, SH

Mackenzie, Lieutenant Colonel F F, Lincoln Regiment

Entered 1876; Lieutenant Colonel, 1900.  Staff service: Adjutant Volunteers, 1890-95.  War service: Afghan War, 1879-80 (medal); Boer War, 1899-1900.

Mackinnon, Colonel William Henry, CIV

Entered Grenadier Guards, 1870; Colonel, 1889.  Staff service: Assistant Military Secretary to Governor and Commander in Chief, Malta, 1884-85; Private Secretary to Governor, Madras, 1885-86; AAG, Home District 1893-98; AAG, Home District (temp.), 1899.  This officer commanded CIV troops, and held a unique position ''hitherto unprecedented in the annals of our military history".

Second son of W A Mackinnen, 34th Chief of the Clan. He was born in London, Dec 15, 1852, and educated at Harrow. He joined the Grenadier Guards, Jan 22, 1870, and was Assistant Military Secretary at Malta, June, 1884, to July, 1885; Private Secretary, Madras, July, 1895, to July, 1898. On the formation of the CIV, Colonel MacKinnon assumed command, which he retained throughout the regiment's service in SA He was also in command of troops at the Orange River; took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, including the action at Zand River, and the operations in the Transvaal, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill, and the action at Elands River (despatches, QSA with four clasps, and CB). Since 1904 General MacKinnon has acted as Director of Auxiliary Forces, and in 1906 was a member of the Committee of the Volunteer Commission. He married, in 1881, Madeline, daughter of Villiers la Touche Hatton.

See Glen 25 Nov 92 £2500.

Magill, Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel J, Coldstream Guards: MD

Mahon, Colonel B T

See his DSO entry. 

Eldest son of 6th Duke of Richmond.  Colonel 3rd R Sussex Regiment

Marchant, Major A E, Royal Marine Light Infantry

Born in Gloucestershire, March 6, 1861; is eldest son of Sir William Marling, Bart., and was educated at Harrow and the RMC, Sandhurst. Colonel Marling served in the Boer War, 1880-81, as 2nd Lieutenant 3rd Battalion 60th Rifles, being present at the Battles of Laing's Nek and Ingogo; served throughout Egyptian Campaign, 1882; present at the actions round Alexandria, the affair at Tel-el-Mahuta, the action at Kassassin, and the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir; served with Mounted Infantry in the Suakim Campaign in 1884, when he was present at the Battle of El Teb, and relief of Tokar; the Battle of Tamai, and the affair at Tamanib (mentioned in despatches, London Gazette, awarded Victoria Cross for saving the life of a Private in the Sussex Regiment); served through out the Khartoum Expedition, 1884-85; present at the Battles of Abou Klea and El Gubat, and the reconnaissance before Metemmeh, and in all the Desert operations with the Camel Corps under Sir Herbert Stewart; promoted to a Troop in the 18th Hussars for services in Egypt, Dec, 1886. He proceeded to India with the Rest, in November, 1889, and was promoted Major in Aug, 1896; served in South Africa, 1899-1902, including Battle of Talana, retirement from Dundee, action at Lombard's Kop, siege of Ladysmith, operations in Transvaal and ORC (twice mentioned in despatches, London Gazette, CB, Queen's Medal with five clasps, KSA with two clasps). Owns 5,000 acres. Recreations: Pole, cricket, hunting, shooting, golf. He married, in 1899, Beatrice Caroline, eldest daughter of F H Beaumont, of Reigate, and great-grand-daughter of the 5th Duke of Manchester.

Martin, Lieutenant Colonel H, Leinster Regiment

Herbert Martin was born in 1857 and commissioned in 1878.  He took part in the Zhob Valley Expedition 1884.  Lieutenant Colonel by 1899 , he went on to command the 1^st battalion, Leinsters from 10 May 1900 to the end of the War.  He saw extensive service in ORC, Cape Colony and the Transvaal.  Brigadier General on the Staff during the Great War.  Died Nov 1938. 

[CB], QSA (3) CC Trans Witt (Lt Col Lein Regt), KSA (2) (Lt Col CB Lein Regt), 14/15 (Brig Gen CB), BWM, VM (Brig Gen).  With identical BWM.  DNW Jun 00 £1050 where it was sold with an identically names BWM £1,050.  Spinks Nov 00 £1650.

Maxse, Major F I, DSO Coldstream Guards

See his DSO entry.

May, Lieutenant Colonel William Allan, Royal Army Medical Corps

Son of Joseph May, FRCS, Eng., of Stoke Damerel, Devon. He was born Sep 18, 1850, at Stoke Damerel, Devon, and was educated at the Gram. School, Tavistock, Devon, and Guy's Hospital Med. School, London. On Sep 30, 1874, Colonel May joined the Army Medical Service, and was promoted Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Army Medical Corps, Sep 30, 1894, and Colonel, March 22, 1903. He was Principal Medical Officer 8th Div. of the Field Force, SA, from Jan, 1900, to end of campaign, May 31, 1902, with local rank of Colonel He was mentioned in despatches, CB (1902) and has the Queen 's medal with three clasps (Cape Colony, Wittebergen, Transvaal) and KSA with two clasps (SA, 1901, SA, 1902). He was appointed Principal Medical Officer, Natal, Aug, 1902, with local rank of Colonel; Principal Medical Officer, Egypt, May, 1903; Principal Medical Officer, Salisbury Plain District, Jan, 1905, and Acting PMO of the Southern Command, 1905. He married, Feb 3, 1876, Cecilia Adele Aloise, daughter of Gustav A B C von Ohlhaffen.

George Nisbett Mayne was born on 28 July 1854, son of Major Robert Graham Mayne, HEICS, and was educated at Wellington College, 1866-71. He entered the Army as 2nd Lieutenant, unattached from Sandhurst, and was gazetted as Lieutenant on 13 June 1874 to the 25th (King’s Own Borderers). He accompanied the regiment to India and took part in the 2nd Afghan War of 1878-80 with the Khyber Line Force.  He served on Staff appointment with the Burmese Expedition, 1886-88, and was mentioned in Major-General Sir G. S. White’s despatch dated 10 March 1887 (Medal with 2 clasps). During the Chitral operations of 1895, he accompanied the relief force and commanded ‘C’ Company in the storming of the Malakand Pass on 3rd April (Medal with clasp). He took part in further operations on the North West Frontier, with the Tirah Expeditionary Force in 1897-98, against the rebellious Afridi, Zakka Khel and Orakzai tribesmen. During one phase of the operation in 1897, he commanded four companies of the 2nd Battalion who successfully assaulted and captured the Dargai Heights, accompanied by the 1st/3rd Gurkhas, on 18th October, only to be forced into a difficult retirement for not being equipped to hold such a position so far from their base camp. The undoubted gallantry of this magnificent frontal attack, however, was rather lost sight of and forgotten in the more tragic events of the second attack on the 20th October (2 clasps).  Mayne was posted back to the 1st Battalion and served with that battalion throughout the Boer War in South Africa, 1900-02. Appointed Second-in-Command in December 1898, he commanded the Battalion from September 1900 until February 1902. He took part in operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including the battle of Paardeberg (17th to 26th February); the actions at Poplar Grove, Karee Siding, Vet River (5th and 6th May) and the Zand River. At Karee Siding, the battalion suffered the loss of 83 casualties in driving the Boers from the hills.  He also served in the Transvaal in 1900, when, in late May, the battalion crossed the Vaal River and was present at the surrender of Johannesburg, and on 4th June at the reduction of the southern forts at Pretoria. During further operations in the Transvaal, the battalion was employed in small detachments garrisoning the railway lines between Pretoria and Middleburg, and west of Pretoria between July and November 1900, including the action at Zilikats Nek. In his despatch of 8 September 1901 (London Gazette 3 December 1901) Lord Kitchener, referring to the capture near Damhoek on 10th August of 40 Boers, including Commandant Wolmaarans, chairman of the late Volksraad, said, ‘The majority of these prisoners, who were fully equipped with rifles, horses, and saddlery, were taken by the Volunteer Service company of the KOSB under Major Mayne'.  In September 1901 the battalion relieved the West Yorkshire Regiment on the Mooi River blockhouse line where, in January 1902, Mayne superintended the construction of a new line. In addition to his two mentions, Mayne was rewarded with the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel and created a Companion of the Bath. He was confirmed as Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1902, and appointed commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment from October 1903, stationed at Mhow, near Bombay. Promoted brevet Colonel in June 1904, Mayne was placed on half-pay in January 1906.  Re-employed during the Great War, Colonel Mayne commanded the 10th (Reserve) Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment. Originlaly raised as a Service battalion at Plymouth in October 1914, it became a Reserve battalion in May 1915 at Harrogate and, in September 1916, was absorbed into the Training Reserve battalions at Rugeley in the 2nd Reserve Brigade. Colonel Mayne commanded the battalion through to the end of 1916. After the war Colonel Mayne moved to Monte Carlo, and died on 6 June 1932, aged 77. 

CB b/b s/g, Afghan (0) (Lt 1/25^th Regt),  IGS 1854 (2) Burma 85-87 Burma 87-89 (Capt 1/KOSB), IGS 1895 (3) RofC PF Tirah (Maj 2/KOSB), QSA (3) CC Paar Joh (Lt Col KOSB), KSA (2) (Lt Col CB KOSB).  Liverpool May 95.  Spinks Oct 99 £1900.  DNW Dec 03 £3,700.

McCalmont, Lieutenant Colonel H L B, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

McCalmont was among the first who volunteered to go to the front.  He was formerly in the Scots Guards, and for some years has been associated with the 4th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment.  Like many other wealthy men of this marvellous period, he left the lap of luxury for the risks and hardships of the fight rather than neglect the duties of a Briton.

See Spink Dec 97.  No sale.

Entered 1872; Lieutenant Colonel, 1897.  War Service: Afghan War, 1879-80 (medal); Boer War, 1899-1900; Klip Kraal, severely wounded.

Mercer, Major H F, RA

Entered 1874; Lieutenant Colonel, 1898.  War service: Burmese Expedition 1886-87 (medal with clasp); Operations on NW Frontier of India, 1897-98 (medal with clasp); Boer War, 1889-1900; severely wounded.

Meyrick, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Charlton, IY5

Born July 7, 1862, and is the eldest son of Sir Thos. Meyrick, Bart, CB, of Apley Castle, Shropshire. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge. He stroked the Cambridge Eight against Oxford in 1883; served fifteen and a half years in the 15th (King's) Hussars, and commanded the 5th Regiment of IY during the Boer War, 1900-01, during which time he was once wounded and had his horse shot under him, he also sustained a broken collarbone through his horse falling during action. Colonel Meyrick is now commanding the Pembroke IY. He married, in Oct, 1897, Mary E Cresswell, of Cresswell Hall.

Born in 1854, and is the eldest son of Colonel Miles. He was educated at Eton, and joined in the 1st Life Guards in 1875, succeeding Colonel Sir S M Lockhart Bart, , in the command of that regiment in 1898. Colonel Miles took part in the Egyptian Expedition in 1882, being present at the actions at El Magfar, Mahsameh, Kassassin, and the battle of Tel-el-Kebir; also in the march to and occupation of Cairo (medal and clasp, bronze star); and the Boer War in 1899-1900, being for some time in command of a Composite Regiment of household Cavalry. He took part in the operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria; action at Elands River; the operations in the Orange River Colony, including the actions at Bethlehem and Wittebergen (QSA with three clasps and CB). Since 1892 he has been High Steward for Malmesbury, and is Lord of the Manor of Burtonhill. Colonel Miles retired from the Army in April, 1906. He married, in 1880, Emily, daughter of J W G Spicer.

Miles, Colonel H S G

Entered 1869.  Staff service: Garrison Instructor, Aldershot, 1881-87; DAA and QMG, DAAG for Instruction, Aldershot, 1887-88; DAQMG, Headquarters of Army, 1889-93; AAG, Aldershot, 1893-98; Commandant Staff College, 1898-99; AAG, South Africa, 1899-1900; Chief Staff Officer, 1900; Colonel on Staff, Natal, 1900.  War service: South Africa, 1899-1900, on Staff (Despatches).

Commandant at Estcourt.  Entered 1873; Lieutenant Colonel, 1898.  Staff service: ADC to GOC, Ceylon, 1879-82; employed with Egyptian Constabulary, 1885-87.  War Service: Boer War, 1899-1900; slightly wounded.

Money, Herbert Cecil, RMLI

Herbert Cecil Money was born on 20 September 1857, and joined the Royal Marines at Chatham on 1 September 1876. He served in the Battalion of Royal Marines sent to South Africa for special service in the Zulu war of 1879, though this service did not qualify for the medal. He served in the R.M. Battalion throughout the war in Egypt in 1882, being present at the occupation of Port Said, and the actions at Tel-el-Mahuta, Mahsaneh, Kassasin, 28th August, and Kassasin, 9th September; on this last occasion he was specially mentioned in despatches for gallantry in the capture of two of the enemy’s Krupp guns. He was present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, and after that commanded a company until the arrival of the Battalion in England (Egypt Medal with clasp and Bronze Star). Money served with the Royal Marine Battalion sent to Egypt in 1884 for service in the Soudan, and acted first as Adjutant and afterwards as Regimental Transport Officer, being present at Suakin during the nightly attacks made upon the town in the months of May, June, July and August. He served as a Special Service Officer during the Boer War, from 3 February 1900 to 24 December 1901, graded as AAG; he was in command of prisoners of war in SS Mongolian at Simonstown, and afterwards Commandant of prisoners of war at Green Point, Cape Town, during which time nearly 17,000 passed through his hands (mentioned in Lord Roberts’ despatch, 10 September 1901). For his services during the war Money was made a Companion of the Bath, London Gazette 26 June 1902. He was appointed ADC to the King in October 1905; promoted Colonel Second Commandant, September 1906; Colonel Commandant, July 1909; Major-General, October 1910. Placed on the Retired list in January 1920, Major-General Money died on 27 March 1939.

CB (Mil, b/b), Egypt (1) Tel-El-Kebir (Lieut H C Money, RMLI), QSA (1) CC (Lt Colonel H C Money, RMLI), 1902 Coronation, Khedive’s Star.  DNW Jun 06 £3,900.

Moody, Lieutenant Colonel R S H, RIF

Moore, Lieutenant Colonel R St T, IY17

See his DSO entry.

Morris, Colonel W G, CMG Royal Engineers

Entered RE 1867; Colonel, 1898.  Staff service:  Assistant Instructor in Surveying, School of Military Engineering, 1877-82; Assistant Commandant, School of Military Engineering, 1895-98; Colonel on Staff, South Africa, 1898.  Colonel Morris, born in 1847, was the son of Lieutenant Colonel W J Morris, HEICS.

Augustus William Morris was born at Pondicherry on 18 January 1845, son of the Reverend G. E. Morris. He was educated at Rugby, and went to the Royal Military College in February 1863 when aged 18. He passed out in June 1864, was commissioned Ensign in the 16th Regiment on 5 July 1864, and transferred to the 58th Regiment on 9 August 1864. He was promoted to Lieutenant in December 1869, became Adjutant in November 1872, and Captain in July 1878. During the Zulu war of 1879 he was present with the 2nd Battalion of his regiment at the battle of Ulundi on 4 July. He served with two companies of the 2nd Battalion during the 1st Boer War of 1880-81, and was severely wounded in the chest at Majuba Hill on 27 February 1881.  Carter, in 'A Narrative of the Boer War'. states: ‘For many hundreds of yards down the mountain-side we saw the bodies of our men who had been cut off in their flight. It seemed as if we were never going to get away from the scene of the carnage. At the base of the sugar-loaf hill which I have mentioned as a spot we had passed during the night march, an officer’s servant, coming after us, said that Captain Morris of the 58th was lying badly wounded a little to our right, so we turned to visit him. He was very weak and exhausted, but conscious, with a wound between the shoulder and the chest, which looked dangerously near the heart. He had heard our voices, and sent his servant to tell us he was there. We could do nothing for him to alleviate his pain, except promise to hurry to camp as fast as possible, and indicate to a party of bearers and the surgeons where he was. His faithful servant had rigged up the best cover he could make by the help of a coat and two sticks, and had propped the wounded man’s head upon a pillow made of sod. Poor Captain Morris had come out to his regiment, and had only joined it a few days before the fight. We never expected to see him back in camp alive, but spoke cheerfully, for he set us the example'.  Of the 58th, Captain Morris and Lieutenant Lucy were mentioned in despatches for conspicuous coolness during the last few eventful minutes on the hill before the retreat began. Out of the 350 men who reached the top of the Hill, 225 officers and men were either killed or wounded. Morris became Major on July 1881, and Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1890, when he was placed on Half Pay. He served on the Dress and Equipment Committee in 1891-92, and commanded the 1st Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment from 1890 to 1894.  Lieutenant-Colonel Morris served during the South African War, 1899-1901, as Assistant Adjutant General, 5th Division, and as Commandant at Durban. At Spion Kop, on 24 January 1900, he was attached to Major-General Coke’s staff and, at 8p.m., he conveyed personally to Major General Warren details of the critical situation on the hill; these harsh details were almost immediately confirmed by Lieutenant Winston Churchill. Morris subsequently commanded the Melmoth Field Force which operated in the area of Eshowe, thus securing the Zulu border. He was created a Companion of the Bath on 29 November 1900, and mentioned in despatches on 8 February 1901. Colonel Morris retired in 1902 and died on 12 January 1906.

CB (b/b in s/g), Zulu Medal (1) 1879 (Capt 58^th Foot), QSA (2) CC RofL (Col CB Staff), KSA (2).  Christies 30 Apr 91 £1980.  DNW Mar 02 £3,800.

Mortimer, Colonel W H, Army Pay Department

Commissioned in the Welsh Regt and transferred to Army Pay Department in 1878.  Chief Paymaster of the Natal Forces during the Boer War.  Retired 1906.

KCB (m), CB (m), Egypt (1) Tel-El-Kebir (Paymaster Army Pay Department), QSA (4) TH OFS RofL Tr (Col CB Army Pay Department), KSA (2) (Col CB Army Pay Department).  Sotheby’s Jul 98 £1725

See Soth Nov 90 (276) and Spinks Nov 63

Nesbitt, Lieutenant Colonel R A, Nesbitt's Horse

This officer commanded the volunteer corps known as Nesbitt's Horse.

Newall, Lieutenant Colonel S, New Zealand Contingent

This officer commanded the 5th Contingent New Zealand Mounted Infantry.

See his DSO entry.

Nixon, Colonel J E, Indian Staff Corps

O’Connor, Lieutenant Colonel A P, Royal Army Medical Corps

Oliphant, Major General Laurence James, KCVO, CB, Grenadier Guards

Born in 1846 He served in the Sudan Campaign in 1885 (Khedive's star, medal and clasp). From 1894-8 he commanded the Grenadier Guards, and subsequently was in command of a brigade at Aldershot. He served in South Africa in 1901-2 on the Staff of the South African Field Force; was in command of the Home District and of the Second Guards' Brigade in 1903 and commanded the London District. He was created KCVO on the occasion of the King's birthday, 1905.  He was appointed General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, 1907-11, being awarded the KCB in 1911.  He died on 6 July 1914.

Order of the Bath, Mil, Royal Victorian Order, 1897 Jubilee, 1911 Coronation, Egypt (1) Suakin 1885, QSA (4) CC OFS Tr 02, Khedive’s Star 1884, Greece, Royal Order of the Redeemer.  DNW Jun 05 £360.

William Otter is often regarded as Canada's first true professional soldier.  He was born in 1843 near Goderich Ontario.  1866 participated in the defence of Canada against Fenian raids at the Battle of Ridgeway.  He commanded the infantry school at Toronto in 1883.  With the outbreak of the 1885 Resistance, Otter was despatched to the Northwest Territories to assist General Frederick Middleton in the advance on the Métis stronghold of Batoche.  Served in the South African War and become the first Canadian-born Chief of the General Staff.  During the Great War he was commanded the Canadian internment camps.  He was knighted in 1913 and made a general in 1923.

Ovens, Lieutenant Colonel G H, BR