| Wilson | Henry Hughes | | Captain | WILSON, HENRY HUGHES, Captain, was born 5 May 1864, son of James Wilson, DL, JP, of Currygrane, Edgeworthstown, Ireland. He was educated at Marlborough College and was a Graduate of the Staff College. On 12 November 1884, he was gazetted to the Royal Irish Regiment from the Militia, and he was transferred to the Rifle Brigade 26 November 1884. He served in the Burma Campaign, 1885-87; was wounded, and served again in Burma, 1887-89 (Medal with two clasps). He was promoted Captain 6 December 1893; was at the Staff College, 1892-94; was Staff Captain (Intelligence Division), Headquarters of Army, 24 June 1895 to 31 August 1897. From 1 September 1897 to 8 October 1899, he was Brigade Major, 2nd Brigade, Aldershot. He served in the South African War, as Brigade Major, Light Brigade, 9 October 1899 to 31 August 1900; as DAAG, Army Headquarters, 1900 to 1901. He was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; during the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; during actions of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; in the operations on Tugela Heights 14 to 27 February 1900, and action at Pieter's Hill; during operations in Natal (March to June 1900), including actions at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); during the operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1900; during the operations in the Transvaal, December 1900 to May 1901. For his services in this campaign he was four times mentioned in Despatches (Sir R H Buller's, 9 March and 9 November 1900) [London Gazette, 8 February and 15 April 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 2 December 1901, on promotion to Major, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Henry Hughes Wilson, Captain, Rifle Brigade. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was specially employed, Headquarters of Army, 3 January 1901 to 23 February 1902; was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 24 February 1902; commanded the 9th Provisional Battalion, 1902-3; was DAAG for Military Education and Training, Army Headquarters, 1 April to 31 May 1903; AAG Military Education and Training, Headquarters of Army, 1 June 1903 to 31 December 1906, and from 1 June 1903 to 31 December 1906, he was Assistant Director of Staff Duties, War Office. On the 2nd December 1904, he was given the Brevet of Colonel. He became Colonel 1 January 1907, and was created a CB in 1908; was Commandant (Brigadier General, General Staff), Staff College, 1 January 1907 to 31 July 1910; Director of Military Operations, War Office, 1 August 1910 to 4 August 1914; promoted to Major General 1 January 1913. He was Sub-Chief of Staff, BEF, 1914; Chief Liaison Officer with French GHQ; commanded IVth Army Corps, 1915-18; was created a KCB, 1915; promoted to Lieutenant General 16 March 1917; was appointed Military Representative, Supreme War Council at Versailles; Chief of the Imperial General Staff and a member of the War Cabinet, February 1918; promoted to General 3 June 1918, and to Field Marshal, 1919. Sir Henry Wilson was created a Baronet in 1919; appointed Colonel, Royal Irish Rifles, 11 November 1915. He married, in 1891, Cecil Mary, daughter of George Cecil Gore Wray, JP, of Ardnamona, Donegal.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Brigade |
