| Fanshawe | Robert | | Major | FANSHAWE, ROBERT, Major, was born 5 November 1863, son of the Reverend H L Fanshawe. He was educated at Marlborough, and was commissioned in the Oxfordshire Light Infantry 25 August 1883; was Adjutant, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, 1 July 1887 to 31 October 1891, serving with this regiment, principally in India, up to the outbreak of the South African War. He was promoted to Captain 15 April, 1892, and served on the North-West Frontier, 1897-98 (Indian Frontier Medal and two clasps). He was on Special Service, Natal, 4 November 1899 to 22 December 1899; was Staff Officer to the Assistant Inspector-General, Lines of Communication, South Africa, 28 December 1899 to 6 April 1900; Staff Officer, Mounted Infantry Corps, 7 April 1900 to 26 January 1902. He was wounded at Paardeberg. From 1901 to the end of the war he commanded a Mobile Column. He was present at the Relief of Kimberley. Operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February; wounded 18 February); actions at Poplar Grove, Karee Siding, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (5 and 6 May) 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, west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Venterskroon (7 and 9 August). Operations in Orange River Colony (May to 29 November 1900), including actions at Wittebergen (1 to 29 July) and Bothaville. Operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900. Operations in the Transvaal, Orange River Colony and Cape Colony, 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was twice mentioned in Despatches; given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 22 August 1902; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Robert Fanshawe, Major, Oxford Light Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, etc, were sent to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, and presented in South Africa. He was DAAG, 4th Division, 2nd Army Corps, 11 September 1902 to 11 December 1903; became Lieutenant Colonel 18 September 1907; commanded the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry from 1907 to 1911; was given the Brevet of Colonel 5 March 1908; became Colonel 18 September 1911; was GSO, 1st Grade, 1st Division, Aldershot Command, 25 October 1911 to 4 August 1914. He served in the European War from 1914; was Temporary Brigadier General from 20 September 1914 to 29 May 1915, commanding 6th Infantry Brigade; became Major General 3 June 1915. He commanded 48th South Midland Division, British Expeditionary Force, and British Armies in France, 30 May 1915, to 24 June, 1918, and commanded the 69th Division, 1918-19. He was created a CB in 1915, and a KCB in 1917, and was eight times mentioned in Despatches. His favourite recreations were polo and pig-sticking.
KCB (m), DSO, IGS 1895 (2) PF Tirah, QSA (5) RofK Paard Joh D-H Witt, KSA (2), 1914 Star, BWM, Victory Medal with MID, 1911 Coronation, 1935 Jubilee, 1937 Coronation, Legion dHonneur (France) 5th Class, Croce di Guerra (Italy), Order of Avis (Portugal) Class unknown.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Oxfordshire Light Infantry |
