| Townshend | Charles Vere Ferrers | | Captain | TOWNSHEND, CHARLES VERE FERRERS, Captain and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, was born 21 February 1861. He is a cousin of the 6th Marquess Townshend. He became Lieutenant, Royal Marines, 1 February 1881, and served in the Sudan Expedition of 1884-85, Suakiri and the Nile. Operations round Suakin in 1884 (mentioned in Despatches). Nile Expedition. With the Royal Marines, attached to Guards' Camel Regiment Actions at Abu Klea and El Gubat, and reconnaissance on Metemmeh (Medal with two clasps; Bronze Star). He was transferred to the Indian Staff Corps 15 January 1886. In 1891-92 he served in the Hunza Nagar Expedition. Taking of Nilt (Despatches [London Gazette, 21 June 1892]; Medal with clasp). He was promoted to Captain 1 February 1892. In 1895 he served in the Chitral Expedition, and commanded the Garrison of Chitral during the siege of the fort. He was thanked by the Government of India; mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 July 1895]; received the Medal and clasp; was created a CB, and was given the Brevet of Major 10 July 1895. He was employed with the Egyptian Army 11 February 1896 to 1 December 1898, and in 1896 served in the Expedition to Dongola, taking part in the operations of 7 June and 19 September. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 3 November 1896]; received the Egyptian Medal with two clasps, and was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 18 November 1896. He served in the Nile Expedition of 1898, and was present at the battles of the Atbara and Khartoum; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 24 May and 30 September 1898]; received the Medal, and two clasps to the Egyptian Medal, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 15 November 1898]: "Charles Vere Ferrers Townshend, Captain and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Staff Corps. In recognition of services during the recent operations in the Sudan". The Insignia were presented to him by the Queen at Windsor 1 December 1898. He served in the South African War, 1899-1900, as Special Service Officer, and afterwards on the Staff of the Military Governor of Bloemfontein. He was present at the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900. Operations in Orange River Colony, May to September 1900. Operations in Cape Colony in 1900 (Queen's Medal with two clasps). He was given the Brevet of Colonel 10 February 1904; became Major, Royal Fusiliers, 28 July 19DO; Acting Military Attache, Paris, in 1903, and Major, Shropshire Light Infantry, 7 March 1906; became Colonel 2 August 1907; Assistant Adjutant-General, 9th Division, Army in India, 2 August 1907 to 8 April 1909; Officer Commanding District, South Africa, 9 April 1909 to 20 September 1911; promoted to Major General 18 June 1911; GOC, Home Counties Division, Eastern Command, 1 April 1912 to 5 June 1913; Brigade Commander, India, 30 June 1913 to 17 April 1915. He commanded the 6th Division, Indian Expeditionary Force 'D', 18 April 1915; was created a KCB; was besieged in Kut, and eventually taken prisoner by the Turks, and released after the Armistice.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Indian Staff Corps |
