| Place | Charles Otley | | Lieutenant | PLACE, CHARLES OTLEY, Lieutenant, was born 3 October 1875. He entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers 7 August 1895, and was promoted Lieutenant 7 August 1898. He served in the South African War, 1899 to 1902, taking part in the Relief of Ladysmith, including operations of 17 to 24 January 1900; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900) and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in the Transvaal, June 1900; operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902]; awarded the Queen's Medal with five clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Charles Otley Place, Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was prompted Captain, Royal Engineers, 7 August 1904; was employed as Adjutant, Militia, and Adjutant, Special Reserve, May 1905 to June 1908; Officer of a Company of Gentleman Cadets, Royal Military Academy, January to September 1909, and Commander of a Company, September 1909 to January 1910; General Staff Officer, 3rd Grade, Western Command, April 1912 to the outbreak of the European War. He was promoted Major 30 October 1914. He served in the European War, holding the following appointments, viz: GSO2, First Army, Central Force, Home Defence, 5 August to 4 October 1914; GSO3, Fourth Army, British Expeditionary Force, 5 October 1914 to 9 February 1915; GSO2, 19th Division, New Armies, British Expeditionary Force, 15 February 1915 to 4 April 1916; Temporary Lieutenant Colonel and GSO1, 36th Division, British Armies in France, 5 April 1916 to 26 May 1918. He was mentioned in Despatches; given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 3 June 1916, and created a CMG in 1917. Lieutenant Colonel Place was specially employed at the War Office 4 February to 31 March 1919, and became GSO, War Office (temporary), 1 April 1919.
CMG, DSO, QSA (5) T-H OFS RofL Trans L-N (Lt, RE), KSA (2) (Lt, RE), 1914 Star and Bar (Capt, DSO RE), BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Lt Col). Glendinings 1953 no price information. Glendinings 1989 £620.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
