| Thompson | Charles William | | Major | THOMPSON, CHARLES WILLIAM, Major, was born at Sialkote. 24 November 1859, son of General C W Thompson; was educated at Felsted School, Essex; joined the 7th Dragoon Guards as Lieutenant 28 January 1882; served in Egypt, 1882, and was present at the actions at Kassassin, Tel-el-Kebir, and the capture of Cairo (Medal with clasp for Tel-el-Kebir, and the Khedive's Star). He was appointed Adjutant, 7th Dragoon Guards, 1886-88; Adjutant to the Dorset Queen's Own Yeomanry, 1888-93. He was promoted Major, 1897, and became Second-in-Command, 1899; passed the Staff College; took part in the South African War, 1900-02, on duty under Military Governor, Pretoria, from 26 June 1900; was in command of 7th Dragoon Guards, 19 December 1900 to 31 May 1902, taking part in the operations in the Orange Free State, May 1900; during operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; serving during operations in the Transvaal, December 1900; in the operations in Orange River Colony, February 1901 to 31 May 1902; taking part in the operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in October 1901, and in the operations in Cape Colony, December 1900 to February 1901; was mentioned twice in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901, and 29 July 1902]; received the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel; awarded the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Charles William Thompson, Major, 7th Dragoon Guards. In recognition of services during operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent, to Lord Roberts, 18 January 1902, and presented by Major General Elliott. He was appointed in command of the Dorset Yeomanry from Christmas, 1901 to June 1902, and again from 1903 to 1907; promoted Lieutenant Colonel, 1903; Colonel, 1907; GSO, 1st Grade, Western Command, 1908-11; created a CB in 1911; appointed AAG, War Office, 1911-13, and Brigadier General, commanding Cape of Good Hope District, 1913-14. After the outbreak of the European War he was promoted Major General, commanding in South Africa, 1914-16, and in command of the troops, West Africa, 1917. He possesses great literary ability; has published 'Records of the Dorset Yeomanry' (1893) and 'The Story of the Regiment' (1913). His favourite recreations were hunting, shooting, fishing and falconry. He married, 1 January 1889, at Christ Church, Folkestone, Rose Offley Ada, only child of Henry Offley Harvey; they had three sons: John Wycliffe, born 2 December 1889; Offley Charles Wycliffe, late Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Regt, born 21 January 1891, killed in action 20 September 1914, and John Rodolf Perronet, Lieutenant, Royal Navy, born in August 1892; and one daughter, Marcella Wycliffe, born 6 March 1907.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | 7th (The Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards |
