Personalities, Surname P - Q

Paget, Major General A H, Scots Guards. 

Entered 1869; Colonel, 1893.  Staff service: Special Service, Ashanti Expedition 1873-74; Major General Infantry Brigade, South Africa, April 1900.  War service: Ashanti War, 1873 (medal); Sudan Expedition 1885 (medal with clasp; bronze star); Boer War, 1899-1900 (Despatches); on Staff.

Paget, Colonel Arthur Leopold

He was formerly second in command of the 4th Gloucester Regiment, and served under Colonel Earl Bathurst at St Helena in guarding the Boer prisoners of war. The late Colonel was head of the firm of Paget, Rylands, and Company.  He died on March 1, 1906.

Pakenham, Major Henry F

He died under tragic circumstances in Feb, 1905, served with his regiment, the 60th Rifles, in the Boer War in 1901, during which he suffered from enteric. Rejoining in 1902 he again served with his regiment in Malta until Aug, 1903, when he returned to England on leave. He then had a prolonged attack of fever, became convalescent and was married in Feb, 1905. A few days afterwards he disappeared while on his honeymoon at Folkestone, and his body was subsequently washed ashore.

Park, Lieutenant Colonel C W, 1st Devon Regiment. 

Entered 1875; Lieutenant Colonel, 1899.  Staff Service: DAAG Madras, 1892-93; AAG, Madras, 1893-97.  War service: Afghan War, 1878-80 (medal); Boer War, 1899-1900.

Parkin, Henry Clarence

Was born at Kimberley, Jul 1874, and was educated in Cape Town. Starting in the offices of the Cape Government Railways in 1895, he joined the Civil Service of NE Rhodesia in 1899 as Secretary's Clerk; transferred as Private Secty. to the Administrator of NE Rhodesia, and was appointed Comptroller of Transport and Supplies for N Rhodesia in 1905.

Parrott, Lieutenant Colonel T S

Commanded the Australians and was experienced in surveying work in New South Wales and Queensland.  He joined the New South Wales Engineers.  In 1885 he served in Soudan and afterwards in the New South Wales Defence Department.

Parsons, Colonel Sir C S B, KCMG

Entered RA 1874; Colonel, 1899.  Staff service:  Employed with Egyptian Army, 1883-84; ADC to Governor and Commander in Chief, Malta, 1884-85; ADC to GOC E District 1887-88; ADC to GOC, Aldershot, 1889-92; employed with Egyptian Army, 1892-99; Governor of Red Sea Littoral, and Commandant Suakin, 1896-99; AAG Woolwich District 1899; Colonel on Staff, Com.  RA Curragh District 1899-1900; Colonel on Staff (RA) South Africa, January 1900, February 1900; Colonel on Staff (Assistant Inspector General L of C.) South Africa, February 1900.  War service: Boer War, 1877-80; (Despatches, 1879; medal with clasp; Despatches, 1881); Egyptian Expedition 1882 (Despatches; medal with clasp; bronze star; 5th class Medjidie; Brevet of Major); Expedition to Dongola, 1896 (Despatches; Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel; Egyptian medal with clasp); Nile Expedition 1897; Nile Expedition 1898(Despatches; Brevet of Colonel; clasp to Egyptian medal; KCMG); Boer War, 1899-1900; Deputy Military Governor of Northern Cape Colony and Commandant W Kimberley District.

Parsons, Harold G,

Born in Australia. He matriculated at Oxford in 1886, and after a spell of journalism he went out to Western Australia on the discovery of the mines. Subsequently he served with distinction in the Boer War, being awarded the medal with five clasps. In 1902 he was appointed District Commissioner at Lagos, and at the time of his death he was occupying an important position on the Governor's Staff.  He died in Sep, 1905.

Pearce, Henry, JP

Born in 1869. He was a well-known traveller, in South Africa before the Boer War in 1899-1902. On the outbreak of the War he joined the Intelligence Department as Special Service Officer. Subsequently he became Commercial Adviser to the Military Governor of the ORC and Director of Supplies for that Colony. He retired from the Civil Service in 1902, and was appointed Managing Director of the Orange River Colony Cold Storage Company

Pennefather, Lieutenant Colonel, 6th Dragoon Guards

He was the first officer to command the BSA Police, Sir John Willoughby being his second in command.

Pennell, Captain H S Pennell, VC, Derby Regiment

Entered 1893.  War service: Operations on NW Frontier of India, 1897-98 (Despatches; VC; medal with 2 clasps); Boer War, 1899-1900; Ladysmith Relief Force; wounded 27th February.

Phillips, Lionel, DL, JP

He was born in London in Aug 1854. He was on the diamond fields of Kimberley in the early days, but in 1889 he coached up to the Rand, and joined the firm of H Eckstein and Company, of which he became the chief after the death of Hermann Eckstein. As a mining engineer he had a very considerable experience, but it required all his knowledge, resolution and energy to combat the difficulties of the early days of the Witwatersrand —not only the economic difficulties which had to be solved, but also the obstacles which a reactionary Govt, placed in the way of progress. These latter bore especially hard on the mining industry, and in those days every captain of industry in the SAR was forced in self-defence to take an active part in local politics. As President of the Johannesburg Chamber of Mines and chief partner in the premier firm of the Rand, Mr Lionel Phillips exercised the greatest influence in matters mineral and political. The long and bitter fight against Mr Kruger's Govt, found an ardent champion in Mr Phillips. He was one of the four leaders of the Reform movement, and after the failure of the ill-starred raiding enterprise, he was tried with Colonel Frank Rhodes, J Hays Hammond, and Sir Geo. Farrar , and was condemned to death—a sentence which was afterwards commuted to a fine of £25,000 and banishment, in default of an undertaking, not to meddle in the politics of the State for fifteen years. On returning to England Mr Phillips became a partner in the firm of Wernher, Beit and Company, in connection with which he takes a highly prominent place in financial circles, although so far as directorships go he sits only on the London Committees of the Angelo Deep, Cason GM, Main Reef Deep, and Main Reef East Companies, and on the European Committee of the East Rand Proprietary Mines. Mr Phillips is an able speaker, and whether in his public utterances or with his pen, always expresses himself in adequate and convincing phrases. He takes a more than ordinary interest in Egyptology; is JP for Hampshire; a DL, and a member of the Committee on Commercial Education in connection with the London Chamber of commerce. When in the Transvaal Mr and Mrs Lionel Phillips were at the head of the Uitlander community. In England they entertain considerably, and make capital hosts. Mrs Phillips, after the Jameson Raid, published an interesting history of that period.

Phillips, Major William Henry Boothby, Cape Mounted Rifles

He joined the FAM Police in 1876, and served in the Gaika-Galeka War in 1877-9, including the final attack on Moirosi's Mountain, and the capture of the Stronghold (medal with clasp); the Basuto Rebellion in 1880-1, including the siege of Mafeking; was promoted lieutenant to the Cape Mounted Riflemen in 1881; served with the Pondoland Field Force in 1894-5, and in the Boer War in 1899-1900; present at the operations in the Orange Free State and the defence of Wepener, the operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, including the actions at Wittebergen (QSA with four clasps, and the KSA with two clasps). He also holds the Diamond Jubilee medal.

Pieters, Isidor

He was born in 1863. He was connected with the firm of A and I Pieters, of Rhodesia, and had been engaged in business at Kalomo since 1904 At the outbreak of the Boer War Mr Pieters had a store at Siguana, in Bechuanaland, which was attacked by a number of Boers, who killed his wife. He died at the Memorial Hospital, Bulawayo, Rhodesia, from blackwater fever.

Pilcher, Captain G, North Lancashire Regiment

Served in the Boer War in 1899-1902, as Railway Staff Officer, present at the operations in the Cape Colony (QSA with clasp).

Pilkington, Charles William Macdonald

He was employed in the customs department at Cape Town in 1895. In 1896 he was appointed Assistant examining officer at Mossel Bay, and at Knysna in 1897. He served in the Boer War in 1899-1901; was appointed second-class clerk at Cape Town in 1901, and second-class examining officer at Port Elizabeth in 1903.

Pinches, Major W H, RAMC

William Hooper Pinches was born in Kennington on 10 August 1861.  He took the LRCP (Edinburgh) and LM in 1884 and MRCS (St. Barts.).  He entered the Army as a Surgeon on 1 August 1885 and served as Medical Officer to the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the Hazara campaign of 1891.  During the expedition to Dongola in 1896, Surgeon Captain Pinches was one of four Medical Officers attached to the North Staffordshire Regiment.  For his services he was awarded the Order of Medjidie 4th Class (London Gazette 2 March 1897).  He was promoted to Surgeon Major in August 1897.  The following year he was a Medical Officer attached to the 21st Lancers and rode with them in the famous charge at Omdurman, his horse being shot from under him as he reached the bank of the khor.  The action is recounted in The Egyptian Soudan - Its Loss and Recovery, by H S Alford & W Sword: ‘The Dervishes adopted their old tactics of first ham-stringing the horses, and then cutting their riders to pieces.  Every man who was unhorsed - with the single exception of Major Pinches (Royal Army Medical Corps) - was instantly killed.  Pinches was saved by the great daring of Sergeant-Major Brennan, who galloped to the rescue, and, after a tough fight, in the course of which Brennan killed several Dervishes, he got the officer on to his own horse and carried him out of danger’.  For his services in connection with the battle Pinches was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 30 September 1898).  During the Boer War, Surgeon-Major Pinches was Medical Officer to the 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment and the ill-fated Colonel Benson Column.  On 31 October 1900, the column commanded by Colonel George Elliott Benson was attacked in mist and heavy rain at Brackenlaagte.  The Boers under Louis Botha swept down on the rearguard of the column and cut down 123 out of the 160 men.  Benson was mortally wounded but continued to command and extricate the main body of his column.  Pinches was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in August 1905 and was placed on the Retired List in August 1906.  During the Great War he was re-employed as an Examining Medical Officer for recruits in the UK from August 1915.  He died after a short illness at his home in Kensington Gardens, London on 9 April 1935.

IGS 1854-95 (1) Hazara 1891 (Surgn., Army Medl. Staff), Queen’s Sudan (Maj, RAMC), QSA (3) CC OFS Joh (Major, RAMC), KSA (2) (Maj, RAMC), Turkey, Order of Medjidie, 4th Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, reverse embossed and stamped in Turkish script, Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908 (2) Hafir, Khartoum.  DNW Sep 06 £8,200.

 

Pilson, Major A F, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 

Entered 1888; Brevet Major, 1897.  Staff service: Special Service, South Africa, 1899.  War service: Operations in South Africa, 1896 (Despatches; Brevet of Major); Boer War, 1899-1900.

Pirie, Duncan Vernon, MP

This gallant officer retired from the army in 1898, after having acted as ADC to Sir G Graham in Egypt, and ADC to the Governor of Ceylon, in which capacities he greatly distinguished himself.  He is the eldest son of Mr G Pirie, was born in 1858, and married, in 1894, the daughter of 17th Baron Sempill.

Poole, Major A E

He rose from the ranks, and served in the 10th. Hussars for upwards of thirty years. In 1884 he took part in the Sudan Campaign, and in the Boer War participated in most of the important engagements. Subsequently he was Camp Quartermaster at Aldershot. He is a Military Knight of Windsor.

Poore, Major R M, 7th Hussars

Entered 1886; Brevet Major, 1898.  Staff service:  ADC to Governor of Bombay, 1894-95; employed with Military Mounted Police, South Africa, 1899; Provost Marshal, South Africa, November 1899.  War service: Operations in South Africa, 1896-97 (Despatches; Brevet of Major); Boer War, 1899-1900; on Staff.

The military police have in war time a very important function in repressing disorder, preventing pillage, and looking after stragglers. No more suitable officer could have been chosen to act as DAAG with the mounted police than that well-known cavalry officer, Major Poore, 7th Hussars, who is devoted to athletics, and everything that concerns the physical training of the soldier. Major Poore was for several years with his regiment in India, and in South Africa he served with distinction through the Matabele and Mashonaland Campaigns.

Pope, Lieutenant Colonel W W, Royal Army medical Corps

William Wippell Pope was born in Exeter on 17 September 1857 and was educated at Sherbourne School. He entered the Army as a Surgeon, afterwards Surgeon-Captain, in February 1881. He served in the Egypt campaign of 1882, being present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, and in 1888 served in the operations in Zululand. Promoted to Surgeon-Major in February 1893, he was next employed with the Tirah Expeditionary Force, 1897-98. In the Boer War he took part in the operations in Natal during 1899, including the actions at Reitfontein and Lombard’s Kop. He was then present in the defence of Ladysmith, including the action of 6 January 1900. Pope attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1901 and was placed on Retired Pay in June the same year. He was re-employed in 1914 and was awarded the CMG for his wartime services (London Gazette 24 January 1917).

CMG, Egypt (1) Tel-El-Kebir (Surg A M Dept), IGS 1895 (1) PF 97-98 (Surgn Major AMS), QSA (1) DoL (Lt Col RAMC).  DNW Dec 06 £1,100.

Porter, Lieutenant Colonel R, Royal Army Medical Corps

Robert Porter was born on 31 January 1858 in Co. Donegal. He was educated at Foyle College, Londonderry, Glasgow University and Paris and qualified as a M.B. at Glasgow in 1879. Entering the Army Medical Department as a Surgeon, afterwards Surgeon-Captain in February 1881, he was promoted to Surgeon-Major in February 1893. Porter served in the Ashanti Expedition of 1895-96 for which he received an honorable mention. Next serving in the Boer War, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on February 1901, and was present in operations in Natal during 1899, including actions at Elandslaagte and Lombard’s Kop and in the defence of Ladysmith. He served for the remainder of the war in the Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony. Promoted to Colonel in January 1910, he was briefly placed on Half Pay on 14 January 1914. Restored to Full Pay with the onset of war, he served in France and Flanders with the original BEF as Deputy Director of Medical Services, being ranked as Temporary Surgeon-General, Army Medical Staff in November 1914 and Surgeon-General (ranking as Major-General) in February 1915. During 1915-17 he was Director of Medical Services to the 2nd Army. For his wartime services he was awarded the CB in 1916, CMG in 1919, Belgian, Order of the Crown 3rd Class and Croix de Guerre, and was six times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 19 October 1914, 17 February 1915, 22 June 1915, 1 January 1916, 29 May 1917, 24 December 1917). He was Knighted, receiving the K.C.B. in 1921. Major-General Sir Robert Porter died on 27 February 1928. The Times of 28 February said of him, ‘Sir Robert Porter was one of the distinguished group of “War Doctors” who built up on the Western Front the finest organization for the relief of the wounded which had ever existed. He came to his great work as Director of Medical Services of the Second Army with a distinguished record and with a reputation for thoroughness in all that he undertook, Between the years 1915 and 1917 that reputation was justified’. Sold with copied research.

KCB (Mil), CMG n/b, Ashanti Star 1895, unnamed, QSA (5) CC Eland DoL OFS Tr (Lt Col, RAMC), KSA (2) (Lt. Col, MB, RAMC), 1914 Star, with clasp (Col.), BWM, VM & MID (Maj Gen), Belgium, Order of the Crown, 3rd Class neck badge, Belgium, Croix de Guerre.  DNW Dec 06 £4,200.

Pratt, Lieutenant Colonel A S, RA

Entered 1874; Lieutenant Colonel, 1900.  Staff service: Inst.  School of Gunnery, 1886-91, 1891-95.  War service: Boer War, 1899-1900.

Pretyman, Major General G T, CB, RA

Entered 1865; Major General, 1897; Staff service: ADC to Major General, Afghan Campaign, 1878-79; and to Lieutenant General, Afghan Campaign, 1879-80; Military Secretary, Madras, 1881-84; AAG for RA, Bengal, 1887-89; Brigadier General, Bengal, 1889-94; Commandant Headquarters, South Africa, 1899-1900; Major General, Military Governor, Bloemfontein, March 1900.  War service:  Afghan War, 1878-79-80 (Despatches; medal with 3 clasps; bronze star; Brevet of Major and Lieutenant Colonel); Isazai Expedition 1892; Boer War, 1899-1900; on Staff.

Price, Colonel T

This officer rendered conspicuous service with the Victorian Mounted Infantry.

Price, Thomas Rees, CMG, JP

Born at Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, Feb 20, 184 He is the son of Rhys and Hannah Price, of Carmarthenshire, and was educated at Ballarat, S Australia, and Swansea. Mr Price was trained for the railway service, and had varied experience in different depts. of the Great Western Railway until 1880, when he became District Traffic Superintendent of the Cape Government Railways at Grahamstown, and acted as Assistant Traffic Manager at Port Elizabeth in 1881; Traffic Manager of the Eastern System in 1882; Traffic Manager of the Northern System in 1892; Cape Government Railway Agent in the Transvaal and ORC in the same year; Chief Traffic Manager in 1893, and Assistant General Manager of Railways in 1901. He acted as Sir James Sivewright's adviser on railway matters in the negotiations with the Transvaal in 1890; is Hon Colonel of the Railway and Post Office Battalion of the Cape Peninsula Regiment, is JP for the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, and Vice-President of the Cape Cambrian Society. He married, March 28, 1872, Miss Mary Howell, of Neath.

Profeit, Colonel C W, RAMC

Charles William Profeit was born at Tarland, Aberdeenshire on 23 August 1870, the 2nd son of Dr Alexander Profeit, Commissioner to Queen Victoria at Balmoral. Educated at Aberdeen University, he qualified with a MB and CM in 1893. Commissioned a Surgeon Lieutenant in January 1895 and promoted to Surgeon Captain in January 1898, he served with the RAMC in the Boer War. He was present in the advance upon Kimberley, including the actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River and Magersfontein. Operations in the Orange Free State, February-May 1900, including actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River and Zand River. Operations in the Transvaal in May/June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill. Operations in the Transvaal east of Pretoria, July-November 1900, including the action at Belfast. He was promoted to Major in October 1906. In the Great War he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1915 and was Temporary Colonel whilst ADMS of a division, January 1916. For his services he was five times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 19 October 1914, 17 February 1915, 4 January 1917, 24 December 1917, 30 December 1918), awarded the DSO (London Gazette 1 January 1917) and CMG (1918).  Post-war, he served on the NW Frontier, being again mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 3 August 1920) and awarded the CSI (1920). Placed on Retired Pay in 1924, Colonel Profeit died on 5 February 1937.

CSI, CMG, DSO, QSA (6) Belm MR Drief Joh DH Belf (CaptRAMC), KSA (2) (Capt MB RAMC), 1914 Star & Bar (Major RAMC), BWM, VM & MID (Col), IGS (2) Afghan NWF 1919 Waziristan 1919-21 (Col AMS), 1897 Jubilee, 1911 Coronation.  DNW Mar 07 £5,500.  Miniatures DNW Mar 07 £880.  Neate Militaria May 07 £ 7,895.