| Popham | Robert Stewart | | Lieutenant | POPHAM, ROBERT STEW ART, Lieutenant, was born 27 July 1876, son of Benjamin Popham, of Kinsale, Cork. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and joined the Army 20 May 1899, in the Derbyshire Regiment He became Lieutenant, Notts and Derbyshire Regiment, 13 July 1900. He served in South Africa, 1899-1902, being employed from 7 October 1901, as Staff Officer and Assistant Provost-Marshal. He was present at operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill; operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria; operations in Orange River Colony, including action at Wittebergen; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Robert Stewart Popham, Lieutenant, The Derbyshire^ Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He served as Adjutant of his regiment, 1 February 1904 to 31 January 1907, and became Captain 22 February 1906; was Adjutant, Special Reserve, 6 March 1911 to 5 March 1914. Serving in the European War, he was promoted Major 1 September 1915; was Brigade Major, 104th Infantry Brigade, 96th Infantry Brigade, New Armies, BEF, and British Armies in France, 12 January 1915 to 6 September 1916; GSO2, 55th Division, British Armies in France, 7 September 1916 to 1 March 1917; GSO2, 8th Army Corps, British Armies in France, 2 May 1917 to 6 February 1918; GSO2, Headquarters, British Salonika Force, 3 March to 18 May 1918; was appointed GS01, GHQ, British Salonika Force, 19 May 1918, and promoted Temporary Lieutenant Colonel. He was mentioned in Despatches four times; awarded the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 3 June 1918, and created a CMG in 1919, for his services in the Great War. In 1907 Colonel Popham married Mildred Mary Stewart, daughter of Major A J Roberts, 44th Regiment, and they had one son: Robert Home Stewart, born on 4 May 1909.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Sherwood Foresters) Derbyshire Regiment |
