| Tottenham | Charles Bosvile | | Captain | TOTTENHAM, CHARLES BOSVILE, Captain, was born 19 October 1869, at 57 Belgrave Road, London, elder son of Colonel Charles George Tottenham, of Ballycurry, County Wicklow, late of the Scots Fusilier Guards, and formerly Member of Parliament for New Ross, Wexford, and Catherine Elizabeth (who died in 1905), daughter of the Honourable and Reverend Sir F Stapleton, 7th Baronet, of Gray's Court, and granddaughter of the 22nd Lord Despencer. He was educated at Eton and Sandhurst, and joined the Scots Guards 29 October 1890, and was transferred a few months later to the 14th Hussars (14 January 1891). He became Lieutenant 23 November 1892, and Captain 16 April 1900. Captain Tottenham served in the South African War, 1899-1902, and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the 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 Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Houtnek (Thoba Mountain) and Zand River; 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, including action at Belfast, (26 and 27 August); operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to January 1901; operations in Orange River Colony, February to 31 May 1902; operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with seven clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Charles Bosvile Tottenham, Captain, 14th Hussars. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was awarded the DSO for his successful command of the rear-guard when the column was retreating from Geluk, Transvaal, on 13 October 1900, when Colonel Brown-Synge Hutchinson (who is also in the 14th Hussars) won his VC. He was promoted to Major 14 January 1905. Major Tottenham was a noted rider, and won many regimental races. He married, in 1907, at Christ Church, Folkestone, Ruby, daughter of Mr and Mrs Piercy Benn. He left the Service in October 1910, owing to ill-health, and died on the 11th February 1911, at Mentone. (An obituary notice appeared in the 'Times' of 14 February 1911.)
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | 14th (The King's) Hussars |
