| Theobald | Henry Charles Webb | | Lieutenant | THEOBALD, HENRY CHARLES, WEBB, Lieutenant, was born 26 June 1876, son of Colonel Percy Theobald, late RA. He was educated at Cheltenham College, and joined the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment 4 May 1898, becoming Lieutenant 24 February 1900. He served in the South African Campaign, 1899-1900, and was present in the engagements at Rietfontein and Lombard's Kop; at the Siege of Ladysmith, including the night sortie on Gun Hill. He took part in the operations of the Drakensburg Defence Force, including the seizure of Van Reenen's Pass; also served with Mounted Infantry, 1901-2; operations in Orange River Colony (dangerously wounded). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]; was recommended for extra-regimental promotion to the rank of Captain; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and for the night sortie at Ladysmith was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Henry Charles Webb Theobald, Lieutenant, Gloucestershire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by HM The King 24 October 1902. He became Captain, Manchester Regiment, 30 July 1901. Captain Theobald served in the European War as Temporary Major, Manchester Regiment, 29 April to 31 August 1915; was promoted to Major 1 September 1915; was Brigade Major, 26th Reserve Infantry Brigade, New Armies, 2 May 1916 to 15 June 1917. He was Temporary Lieutenant Colonel December 1917 to 2 May 1918, commanding 13th Battalion Manchester Regiment, and Acting Lieutenant Colonel 3 May to 18 May 1918; Commandant, School of Musketry, Eastern Command, 6 August 1918.
DSO, QSA (4) CC DofL OFS Trans, KSA (2), 1914 Star and Bar, BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Lt Col). Manchester Regimental Museum, Ashton-under-Lyme 2001.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Gloucestershire Regiment |
