| Rowley | Cecil Alured | | Captain | ROWLEY, CECIL ALURED, Captain, was born 31 October 1869, son of Thomas Rowley, of Bridgnorth, Shropshire. He was educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, and entered the Dorsetshire Regiment 10 November 1888. He was promoted Lieutenant 21 June 1890, and Captain 23 July 1895. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, employed with Mounted Infantry. Took part in the Relief of Ladysmith, including operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; during the operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900), and action at Pieter's Hill; in the Transvaal in June 1900; in Natal, March to June 1900, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); in Orange River Colony, June 1900; in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony 30 November 1900 to May 1902; also during the operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October 1901, including defence of Forts Itala and Prospect (in command of troops at Fort Prospect). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901 (Sir R H Buller, 19 June and 9 November 1900) and London Gazette, 10 September and 11 October 1901]; awarded the Brevet of Major 29 November 1900; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 11 October 1901]: "Cecil Alured Rowley, Captain, The Dorsetshire Regiment. For gallantry in the defence of Forts Itala and Prospect, dated 26 September 1901". After serving from April 1902, as a Volunteer Adjutant, to 24 October 1906, he was promoted Major 25 October 1906, and retired with that rank from the Service 16 May 1914. He was Lieutenant Colonel, in command of the 6th (Service) Battalion Dorset Regiment. He married, in 1897, Agnes Ellen, eldest daughter of John Lightbody, of Birchfield, Lanes, and had one son and one daughter.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Dorsetshire Regiment |
