| Seely | John Edward Bernard | | Captain | SEELY, JOHN EDWARD BERNARD, Captain, was born 31 May 1868, youngest son of Sir Charles Seely, 1st Baronet, and Emily, daughter of William Evans and sister of Sir F Evans, 1st Baronet. He was educated at Harrow, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was called to the Bar, Inner Temple, in 1897. He served in the South African War, 1900, taking part in operations in Orange Free State, April and May 1900; operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including actions at Biddulphsberg and Wittebergen (1 to 29 July); operations in Cape Colony, March 1900. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "John Edward Bernard Seely, Captain, 4th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry". The Insignia were presented by the King 29 October 1901. He became Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the Hampshire Carabineers and retired. Colonel J E B Seely served in the European War, 1914-18; was five times mentioned in Despatches; created a CB in 1916, and a CMG in 1918, and promoted Major General in 1918. In 1891 he was awarded a gold medal by the French Government for saving life at sea. General Seely was MP for the Isle of Wight, 1900-6; MP (L) Abercromby Division of Liverpool, 1906 to 1910; MP (L), Ilkeston Division, Derby, from 1910; Under Secretary for the Colonies, 1908-10; was made a PC in 1909; Under Secretary of State for War, 1911; Secretary of State for War, 1912-14; Parliamentary Under Secretary, Ministry of Munitions and Deputy Minister of Munitions, 1918; Under Secretary of State for Air and President of Air Council, January 1918. He married (1st), in 1895, Emily Florence (who died in 1913), daughter of Colonel the Honourable Sir H G L Crichton, and they had two sons and four daughters. General Seely married (secondly) The Honourable Mrs Nicholson, youngest daughter of the 1st Viscount Elibank.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | 4th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry |
