| Sandbach | Arthur Edmund | | Major | SANDBACH, ARTHUR EDMUND, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, was born 30 July 1859, at Hafodunos, Llangerniew, Denbighshire, son of Henry Robertson Sandbach, JP, DL, and Elizabeth Charlotte, daughter and co-heiress of Martin Williams, of Bryn Gwyn, Montgomeryshire. He was educated at Eton and at the RMA, Woolwich, and joined the Royal Engineers as Lieutenant 6 April, 1879; Egypt, 1882; the Sudan Expedition (Suakin) in 1885, being present at the affair at Thakool (clasp). In 1886-87 he served in the Burmese Expedition (horse shot; Medal with clasp), and in 1888 in the Sikkim Expedition. He became Captain 1 April, 1889, and was ADC to Major General, Bengal, 27 December 1890, to 25 September 1892. In 1891 he served in the Hazara Expedition as ADC to the GOC; received a clasp, and was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 20 October 1891]. He was promoted to Major 23 November 1897, and was employed with the Egyptian Army 31 December1897 to 30 November 1898. In the Nile Expedition of 1898 he served as Commandant, Wady Haifa, and AAG of Communications; afterwards as AAG, Headquarters Staff, Battle of Khartoum. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 30 September 1898]; received the Egyptian Medal with clasp, the Medal, and was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 16 November 1898; was Military Secretary to Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Governor-General of India, 1898 to 1899. He served in the South African War, 1899-1900; was Special Service Officer, afterwards on the Staff (AAG for Intelligence). He was present at the relief of Ladysmith, including operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on the Tugela Heights 14 to 27 February 1900, and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in Natal, March to June, 1903, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to October 1900, including actions at Belfast (26 and 27 August) and Lydenburg (5 to 8 September). He was mentioned in Despatches (by Sir R H Buller, 30 March, 19 June and 9 November 1900 [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]); received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Arthur Edmund Sandbach, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The DSO was awarded for services in Natal, during the South African War, and specially for reconnaissance duty in finding a crossing over the River Tugela at Pieter's Hill, where the pontoon bridge and approaches were entirely protected from hostile fire. The Insignia were presented to him by the King. He was specially employed (Mobilization), Headquarters of Army, 1 April, 1901, to 25 September 1902; was given the Brevet of Colonel 10 February 1904; became Colonel 9 April, 1910; was created a CB in 1910; was Chief Engineer, Irish Command, 7 October 1910 to 4 August 1914, and 5 August to 5 October 1915 and was promoted to Major General 26 October 1914. He served in the European War from 1914, as Chief Engineer, 2nd Army, BEF, 26 February 1915 to 11 May 1915; Inspector of Royal Engineers 18 May to 14 November 1915; Divisional Commander, 68th Division, 15 November 1915, to 12 February 1916; Home Forces; Divisional Commander, British Armies in France, 15 February 1916, to 10 April, 1917. He was three times mentioned in Despatches; was wounded, and promoted to Major General for distinguished service in the field. He was DL and JP for Montgomeryshire; High Sheriff, 1919; Chairman of the County Territorial Force since 1908. Major General Sandbach married, 15 January 1902, at St Paul's, Knightsbridge, the Honourable Ina Douglas-Pennant, daughter of the 2nd Baron Penrhyn, and they had one daughter, Geraldine Pamela Violet.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
