| Seckham | Bassett Thorne | | Major | SECKHAM, BASSETT THORNE, Major, was born 22 November 1863, eldest son of Samuel Lipscomb Seckham, JP, DL, and of Kinbarra Swene Seckham. He was educated at Charterhouse, and joined the 4th Royal Welsh Fusiliers 18 January 1882, becoming Captain, 4th South Staffordshire Regiment, 31 May 1886, and Major 4 February 1899. He served in the South African Campaign, 1900-1; was present at actions of Lindley, Bethlehem and Winburg; OC Infantry, with a column under Lord Methuen, at Kimberley, Barkly West, Likatleng and Dronfield, March 1900. He took part in the operations which ended in the surrender of Prinsloo and 4,000 men. He was mentioned in Despatches; awarded the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Bassett Thorne Seckham, Major, 4th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 29 October 1901; the warrant sent 24 January 1902. He was Lieutenant Colonel commanding 13 December 1905 to 1910; was given the honorary rank of Colonel 2 August 1908; retired 13 December 1910. On the outbreak of the European War he offered his services as Major, and was attached for duty to the 4th South Staffordshire Regiment September 1914, and served with them and other battalions of the regiment until 8 March 1919; coast defences and recruit training. Colonel Seckham was Justice of the Peace, Staffordshire. He married, in 1888, Alice Dorothy, daughter of W F Moore, of Cronkbourne, Douglas, and they had one son, Lionel Bassett Lipscomb, born on 17 June 1891, and two daughters.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | South Staffordshire Regiment |
