| Maclnnes | Duncan Sayres | | Lieutenant | MACINNES, DUNCAN SAYRE, Lieutenant, was born at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 19 July 1870, younger son of Honourable Donald MacInnes, of Hamilton, who, moving to Canada from Scotland in early life, became a Member of the Senate, and Mary Machines, daughter of Sir John Beverley Robinson, Baronet, CB, Chief Justice of Upper Canada (Quebec). He was educated for some time for the Navy, in the Britannia, but his father ultimately determining on a military career for him, he entered the Royal Military College, Kingston, Canada, from which, he passed out at the head of his year with Sword of Honour and Gold Medal, obtaining a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers on 16 July 1891. He became Lieutenant 16 July 1894. He saw much active service in the expedition to Ashanti; he was honourably mentioned, and awarded the Star issued for that campaign. Later he was employed on the erection of the fort at Coomassie, the capital of Ashanti, for the defence of the garrison of that place, and that its plan and execution reflected great credit on him and others concerned on its design and constitution is evidenced by the fact that it was for some time besieged by fifteen thousand Ashantis in 1900, and held out until relieved by Colonel Sir James Willcocks, who described it in 'From Kabul to Kumassi' as the best defensive post he saw in West Africa. Lieutenant Maclnnes acted for a time as Resident at Coomassie. During the South African War he performed specially valuable services between February and May 1900, in the Orange Free State, and particularly in the defence of Kimberley. Here he was employed on Corps duties, and in addition as Staff Officer to Colonel Kekewich, by whom he was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 May 1900], for most valuable services in both the above capacities. A distinguished officer wrote to his father, whom he had known in Canada: "His praises are in everyone's mouth, and I am told that the success was in a large measure, for so young an officer, due to him". Between May and November 1900, he was further engaged in operations in the Orange River Colony. He was again mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902], and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for his valuable services during the war [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Duncan Sayres Maclnnes, Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and presented there. He was Captain on 1 April 1902, and had the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. He was married, 22 October 1902, at Montreal, Canada, to Millicent Wolfeston Thomas, daughter of F Wolfeston Thomas and Harriet Goodhue Thomas, and their children were: Duncan Wolfeston, born 5 April 1904, and Elizabeth Robinson. He was employed with the South African Constabulary from November 1902 to December 1904. From 1905 to 1908 he was employed on the Staff in Canada, first as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and afterwards as Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General with the Canadian Dominion Forces. His work in connection with the taking over of the defences of Halifax by the Dominion from the Imperial Government was very valuable, and a General Officer under whom he worked said that he was not surprised when, a year or two later, an officer holding a very high position in England spoke of him as one of the best Staff Officers he knew. From Halifax he went to Shorncliffe as Major, Royal Engineers, in charge of works which included the building of the Women's Hospital at that place, and from thence to the Staff College. He was General Staff Officer, 3rd Grade, from 1 April 1910 to 10 October 1912, and in 1912 was employed as Secretary to the Royal Flying Corps Committee, the result of whose, deliberations was the formation of the Royal Flying Corps. He was Major on 16 July 1911. He passed the Staff College, and was General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade, from 1 April 1913 to 4 August 1914, on the Staff of the Staff College. He served in the European War, taking part in the Retreat from Mons, for which he had the Star. He was wounded in November 1914. He was Deputy Assistant Director, War Office (temporary), from 19 February 1915 to 8 March 1915; Assistant Director from 9 March 1915 to 30 October 1915; Deputy Director 31 October 1915; Director 27 March 1916. He was Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in 1915, and Brevet Colonel 29 November 1915. In 1916 and 1917 he was Director of Aeronautical Equipment, with the rank of Brigadier General, and did much good work. He resigned to go to the Front again, although it involved his relinquishing the rank of Brigadier General. He was created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. He went to France in March 1917 to perform the duties of Commanding Royal Engineer to the 42nd Division, and from thence after nine months was appointed Inspector of Mines at Headquarters, with the rank of Brigadier General. On 23 May 1918, he was killed while engaged in this duty, and was buried in the Military Cemetery at Etaples, close to the sea, 25 May 1918. During the war he had been twice mentioned in Despatches, and had the Russian Order of St Stanislaus, with the French Legion of Honour (Croix d'Officier), in 1917. The following are a few quotations from letters written after his death: (From a Field Officer): "He was one of the very bravest and most chivalrous characters I have ever known, and he was universally beloved by all who met him, from the highest in command to our car drivers, servants and orderlies. Everybody felt strangely drawn to him". (From another Field Officer): "He quickly won the admiration of all of us by his gallantry, unbounded energy and kind consideration of others, no matter what rank they held". (From a General Officer, under whom he immediately served): "He was so tremendously brave at Nieuwpoort and other nasty places, a well-known figure in his Division, and perfectly splendid in his work". The Service, his family, and his numerous friends have suffered a very great loss in his death.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
