| Festing | Arthur Hoskyns | | Captain | FESTING, ARTHUR HOSKYNS, Captain and Brevet Major, was born on 9 February 1869, son of Henry Blaythwayt Festing, of Bois Hall, Addlestone, and Mary Eliza, eldest child of Richard James Todd, of Great Eppleton Hall, Durham (Count of the Holy Roman Empire, created 1704; title not assumed in England). He was educated privately; on the Continent, and at Sandhurst; was gazetted to the Royal Irish Rifles on 11 February 1888, and served with his regiment in the Nile Campaign of 1889, becoming Lieutenant 3 July 1889. He was seconded for service with the Royal Niger Company in 1895, and served as Adjutant to the Force in the Niger-Sudan Campaign of 189C-97, taking part in the expeditions to Egbon, Bida and Ilorin. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 11 June 1897], and received the West African Medal with Clasp (Niger, 1897), and was given the Brevet of Major (16 January 1898) on promotion to Captain 15 January 1898. He also received the Jubilee Medal. He served with the combined Imperial Troops (West African Frontier Force), and with the Royal Niger Company's troops in 1898 and 1899, being present in the operations on the Niger. He served in Borgu, and took part in the expeditions to Lapia, Argeyah, Ibouza (in command) and Anam (in command). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 7 March 1899]; received a clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 7 July 1899]: "Arthur Hoskyns Festing, Captain and Brevet Major, Royal Irish Rifles. In recognition of services whilst employed in the protected territories adjacent to the Gold Coast and Lagos, and on the Niger". The Insignia were presented to him at Likoja. He served in the South African War, 1899-1900, in command of the 11th Mounted Infantry, and on the Staff of the Rhodesian Field Force, taking part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; in the operations in Cape Colony, south of the Orange River, in 1900; in the operations in Rhodesia in May 1900; operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to November 1900. He received the Queen's Medal with five clasps. He served in West Africa (Southern Nigeria), 1901-2, and in the Arc Expedition, commanding various columns. He was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette, 12 September 1902]; received the Medal with clasp, and was created a CMG in 1902. In 1903 he served as Base Commandant in West Africa (Northern Nigeria), with the Kano-Sokoto Expeditionary Force. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 31 July 1903], and received a clasp. Major Festing retired from the Army in 1905, on receiving a civil appointment under the Colonial Office. He served in the European War, and was killed in action on 9 May 1915. Major Festing had married Victoria Eugenie Valentine, Cointesse de Valette, who died in 1913. His favourite recreations were hunting, big game shooting and polo.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Irish Rifles |
