| Manners | Lord Robert William Orlando | | Captain | MANNERS, LORD ROBERT WILLIAM ORLANDO, Captain, was born 4 February 1870, fourth son of the 7th Duke of Rutland and of the Duchess of Rutland, and half-brother of the 8th Duke. He was educated at Wellington College, and gazetted to the King's Royal Rifles 4 February 1891, serving in the Isazai Expedition in 1892. During the South African War, 1899-1902, he took part in the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso; was present at the actions of Spion Kop and Vaal Kranz, in the operations on Tugela Heights, and in the action at Pieter's Hill. During the Natal operations he was in the action of Laing's Nek, 1900, and in the Transvaal he fought in the actions of Belfast and Lydenberg. For these services he was mentioned in Despatches; received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and for his services with the Natal Bearer Company he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Lord Robert William Orlando Manners, Captain, King's Royal Rifles. In recognition of services during the War in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant, etc, were sent to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, and presented by Colonel T E Hickman, CB, DSO. He attained to the substantive rank of Major in 1908, and retired to the Reserve of Officers in 1910, having previously served for some years as Adjutant of the 22nd RVC (Central London Rangers), 1903-9. A keen sportsman and a good rider to hounds, he accepted the joint mastership of the Belvoir Hounds, his partner in the mastership being Major T Bourke, and they hunted the country successfully until the outbreak of the European War, when both returned to active service. An officer of great experience in South African fighting, Lord Robert Manners was gazetted a Brigade Major in October 1914, and in July 1916, was given the command of a service battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. For his services on the Somme, August-September 1916, he was created a CMG, 1916. The Northumberland troops had been actively engaged with the enemy at Villeret, north-east of St Quentin, and had succeeded in pushing them back about three-quarters of a mile, when Lord Robert fell in action, 11 September 1917, a week after Sir Douglas Haig's communique specially mentioning the splendid services rendered by the Northumberland Fusiliers. Lord Robert married, in 1902, Mildred Mary, daughter of the Reverend Charles Buckworth and widow of Major H E Buchanan Riddell, and there was one daughter, Elizabeth.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | King's Royal Rifle Corps |
