| Howell | Wilfred Russell | | Lieutenant | HOWELL, WILFRED RUSSELL, Lieutenant, was born at Outreaux, France, 13 May 1864, son of Russell Howell, MA, Chamberlain to the Pope. He was educated at Feldkirch College, Austria and at Fort Augustus College, Scotland. He raised a volunteer corps, and, in command of a composite body of gunners and the West Indian Regiment, served through the Mendi Rising in Sierra Leone in 1898-99. He was mentioned in Despatches; received the thanks of the Government, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 9 January 1900]: "Wilfred Russell Howell, Lieutenant, 1st Glamorgan Volunteer Artillery. In recognition of services whilst employed in Sierra Leone". Lieutenant Howell was the first Volunteer Officer to receive the DSO. He served through the South African War with the West Somerset Imperial Yeomanry, the Transvaal Constabulary, and the South African Constabulary; was severely wounded; received the Queen's Medal and six clasps, and the King's Medal and two clasps. He raised and commanded the Engineer Company, Rhodesian Volunteers, and Sierra Leone Volunteers; became Captain in the South African Constabulary, West Somerset Yeomanry, and Glamorgan Volunteer Artillery. He resigned his commission in 1910. He was Resident Engineer of the Rhodesian and Mashonaland Railways; was General Manager of the Western Railway of Havana, Southern Longitudinal and Transandian of Chilli. He served in the European War as Major on the General Staff, 1st Canadian Contingent; in the Secret Service with the Home Office, Admiralty and Foreign Office; Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the 1st GB Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers; Colonel and Controller-in-Chief of the Baghdad Railway. Colonel Howell was twice mentioned in Despatches. He married, in 1901, Elsie, youngest daughter of Colonel Lucius Gary, of Torr Abbey, Torquay, and they had four daughters.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Glamorgan Volunteer Artillery |
