de Falbe | Vigant William | | Captain | DE FALBE, VIGANT WILLIAM, Captain, was born 10 November 1867, son of Captain C V M de Falbe, Danish Royal Navy, and of Emmeline McArthur. He was educated privately, then went through Sandhurst, and entered the Army 22 August 1888; was promoted Lieutenant 15 October 1890; was Adjutant, North Staffordshire Regiment, 22 January 1898 to 21 July 1902; became Captain 18 May 1898. He served in the South African War, 1900-1902, as Adjutant, 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, and was present at operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Karee Siding, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May 1900, including actions near Johannesburg; operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, September and October 1900; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 27September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Vigant William de Falbe, Captain, North Staffordshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was awarded the DSO for his good services in South Africa for nearly three years, being Adjutant of his battalion all the time. The Insignia were presented by the King 24 October 1902; the Warrant sent 4 November 1902. He was promoted Major 7 April 1906. He became Lieutenant Colonel 14 March 1913, commanding his Battalion The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire) Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel de Falbe again saw active service in the European War, 1914-15, commanding his battalion in France from September 1914, till December 1915, when he was given the 185th Infantry Brigade, West Yorkshire Regiment. His health failing, he returned from France in September 1917, and was given the Home Counties Reserve Brigade until demobilized in 1919, when he was given No 9 Regimental District. He was mentioned in Despatches; created a CMG in 1915, and promoted to Brigadier General 1 January 1916. He became full Colonel on 14 March, 1917, though at that time holding the rank of Brigadier General, which continued until 22 February, when he went to Warley, commanding No 9 Regimental District. Brigadier General de Falbe married in 1912, Amy Rhone, youngest daughter of Edmund Hanbury, of Poles, Hertfordshire, and they had one son who was born in 1910 and died in 1917 and three daughters.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince of Wales's) North Staffordshire Regiment |