| Walter | John MacNeill | | Major | WALTER, JOHN MACNEILL, Major was born 10 June 1861, at Meerut, son of General John MacNeill Walter, CB, Colonel, Royal Sussex Regiment. He was educated at Cheltenham College; was gazetted to the 12th Foot, 14 January 1880, and was promoted to Lieutenant, Suffolk Regiment, 26 November 1880, and to Captain 21 April 1886. He was Senior Staff Officer, India, 4 July 1894 to 12 May 1896; DAAG, India, 13 May 1896 to 12 July 1899; served as DAAG, 2nd Brigade, Tochi Field Force, 1897-8 (Medal with clasp); was promoted to Major 26 April 1899. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso. He was afterwards Commandant at Irene, and served on the Staff, including service as Chief Censor at Cape Town. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 26 June 1902]: "John MacNeill Walter, Major, Devonshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was invested by the King 18 December 1902. He became Lieutenant Colonel 2 October 1906; was given the Brevet of Colonel 2 October 1909, and was promoted to Colonel 2 October 1910; was AAG, Headquarters, India, 3 October 1910 to 14 September 1913; DAG, Headquarters, India (Temporary Brigadier General), 15 September 1913 to 24 November 1915; Adjutant-General, India, 25 November 1915 to 4 February 1917; Major General in charge of Administration, Northern Command, India, 1917; promoted to Major General 16 June 1918. He was created a CB in 1916, and a CSI, in 1918. Major General Walter married Annie, daughter of Alfred Chenery, of Loyala and Delatite, Victoria, Australia.
CB (m), CSI, DSO, IGS 1895 P-F 1897-98 (Capt, Devon Regt), QSA (4) CC OFS RofL Trans (Maj, Devon Regt), KSA (2) (Maj, DSO, D Regt), BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Maj-Gen), 1911 Delhi Durbar (Col, DSO). Christies 1990 £2,310. Liverpool 1991 £3,200. Dixon 1994 (no CB, CSI) £1,650. Spink 1999 (no CSI) £2,300. DNW 2000 est £2,000-2,500.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Devonshire Regiment |
