| Fortescue | Charles Granville | | Major | FORTESCUE, THE HONOURABLE CHARLES GRANVILLE, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, was born 30 October 1861, sixth son of the 3rd Earl Fortescue, and Georgina (who died in 1866), daughter of the Right Honourable George Dawson-Damer. He was gazetted to the Rifle Brigade 22 January 1881; became Lieutenant 1 July 1881 and served in the Burmese Expedition, 1888-89 (Medal with two clasps). He was promoted to Captain 14 December 1890, and was Adjutant, Rifle Brigade, 27 June 1895 to 15 October 1897. He served in West Africa, 1897-99, in the Northern Territories, Gold Coast, and took part in the expeditions to Karega. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 7 March, 1899]; received the Medal and clasp; was created a CMG, and given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 8 July 1899. He was Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for War 5 August to 6 October 1899. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902 (Brigade Major, Natal, 7 October 1899 to 3 February 1901; DAAG, South Africa, 4 February 1901 to 1 April, 1902; Military Secretary to Lieutenant General, Transvaal and Orange River Colony, 24 June to 16 September 1902). He commanded a Mobile Column, October 1901 to 31 May 1902; took part in the defence of Ladysmith, and in the operations in Natal, March to June, 1900, including the action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June). Operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Belfast (26 and 27 August) and Lydenberg (5 to 8 September). Operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony 30 November 1900, to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches (Sir G S White, 23 March 1900; Sir R H Buller, 9 November 1900) [London Gazette, 8 February 1901, and 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. His Distinguished Service Order was gazetted 19 April, 1901: “The Honourable Charles Granville Fortescue, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, Rifle Brigade. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa”. He was given the Brevet of Colonel 8 July 1905; became Colonel 16 December 1909; was promoted to Brigadier General 28 April, 1912; Brigadier General, General Staff, Eastern Command, 28 April, 1912 to 4 August 1914. He was Brigadier General, General Staff, 3rd Army, Central Force, Home Defence; New Armies, BEF, 22 November 1914 to 25 March, 1915; Brigadier General, General Staff, 1st Army, Central Force, Home Defence, Home Forces, 19 April 1915 to 22 February 1916; Brigade Commander, 6th Provincial Brigade, 212th Brigade, Home Forces, 20 July 1916 to 20 November 1917; Brigade Commander, 226th Infantry Brigade. Home Forces, 21 November 1917 to 10 March, 1918; Special Appointment, Serbian Mission, 11 March, 1918. He married, in 1906, Mrs Ernest Campbell, widow of Captain Ernest G Campbell, Rifle Brigade, and eldest daughter of General Sir Charles Mansfield Clarke, GCB, GCVO, and Gemma Cecilia, daughter of William Pitt Adams, and they had two daughters.
CB (m), CMG, DSO, IGS 1854 (2) Burma 1887-89 Burma 1889-92, East & West Africa 1897-98, QSA (5) DofL L-N Belf CC OFS, KSA (2), 1914-15 Star, BWM, Victory Medal, 1911 Coronation, Order of the White Eagle (Serbia) Grand Cross with swords, War Medal (Serbia). KRRC Museum Winchester 1996.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Brigade |
