| King-King | James Gurwood | | Major | KING-KING, JAMES GURWOOD, Major, was born 2 September 1863, son of Captain Francis J King-King (late 13th Hussars) and of Zumala, daughter of Colonel Gurwood, CB. He was educated at Rugby, and entered the Army 10 March 1883. He was promoted Captain, May 1891. He served in the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, as Adjutant, 1st Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment, Mohmand-Malakand; during the operations in Bajaur and in the Mamund Country; received Medal with clasp. He accompanied the Tirah Expeditionary Force in 1897-98; was present at the capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes; during the reconnaissance of the Saran Sar and action of 9 November 1897, taking part in the operations against the Khani Khel Chamkanis; during operations in the Bazar Valley 25 to 30 December 1897; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 18 March and 5 April 1898]; received the Brevet of Major and clasp. He served in South Africa, 1899-1902, as Special Service Officer, afterwards on the Staff; during operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; in the operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; taking part in the operations in Orange River Colony (May to 29 November 1900), including actions at Wittebergen (1 to 29 July 1900); in the operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900; he was employed with Mounted Infantry. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902]; awarded the Queen's Medal and three clasps; the King's Medal and two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "James Gurwood King-King, Major, Royal West Surrey Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa 2 August 1902, and forwarded with the Warrant to Major King-King's private address. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel, September 1910; commanded 2nd Battalion Queen's Regiment, and retired in 1912. On the outbreak of the European War he was appointed in August 1914, to be GSO, 10th Division; served as Brigadier General, 10th Division; mentioned in Despatches, and received the Brevet, of Colonel; and afterwards Brigadier General, General Staff, Southern Command; was CB 1 January 1919; appointed Honorary Brigadier General on retirement, March 1919. He was a Justice of the Peace, County Hereford. He married (1st), in 1887, Annie, daughter of Major Kiggell, JP, of Limerick (died 1889), and they had one son; and (secondly) in 1892, Dina May eldest daughter of Frederick Sillem, of The Green, Esher, and they had a daughter.
CB (m), DSO, IGS 1895 (2) P-F 1897-98 Tirah 1898 (Capt 1/RWS Regt), QSA (3) CC Trans Witt (Major RWS Regt), KSA (2) (Maj DSO Queens), 1914-15 Star (Brig-gen DSO), BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Brig-Gen). Spink 1990 £1,200. Sothebys 1991 est £1,200-1,500.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Queen's) Royal West Surrey Regiment |
