| Scallon | Robert Irvin | | Captain | SCALLON, ROBERT IRVIN, Captain, was born at Long Ditton, Surbiton, 3 April 1857, third son of T N Scallon (died in 1879; eldest son of Captain Robert Scallon, RN), and of Sarah Jane Grey (died in 1911), eldest daughter of Reverend Thomas Irvin, Vicar of Ormesby, Yorkshire. He was educated in London, and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and entered the Army as a Sub-Lieutenant, unattached, 12 February 1876; 72nd Highlanders, 12 January 1877; became Lieutenant, Bombay Staff Corps, 3 September 1877. He served in the Afghan War, 1879-80, taking part in the engagements of Khelat-i-Ghilzai, and Sir-i-asp; in the march from Khelat-i-Ghilzai to the Relief of Kandahar, and battle of 1 September (Despatches; Medal and clasp, and Bronze Star). He was Adjutant, 23rd Bombay Light Infantry, 1881; Extra ADC to Commander-in-Chief, Bombay Army, 1884; First Class Station Staff Officer, 1884-86. He served in the Burma Campaign as (1) Staff Officer, Kaiile Column (Medal and clasp), 1886-87; (2) commanded Myaing Column (Despatches; clasp); created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 3 August 1888]: "For services during operations in Burma. Robert Irvin Scallon, Captain, Bombay Staff Corps". He became Captain, ISC, 12 February 1887, and Major, 1896: Officiating Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant-General, 1891-92; Inspecting Officer, 1894-95; Punjab Imperial Service Sappers and Infantry, 1895-98; officiated as Inspector-General, Imperial Service Troops, 1897. He served on the NW Frontier of India, 1897-98, taking part in the operations on the Samana, and in the Kurram Valley, during August and September 1897 (Medal with two clasps), and in the Tirah Expedition, 1897-98. He took part in the charge of the Imperial Service Sappers and Infantry; action of Chagru Kotal, and capture of the Sampagha Pass. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 5 April 1898] (Clasp). He commanded 23rd Bombay Rifles, 1898-1904; created a CIE, 1898; became Lieutenant Colonel, 12 February 1902; Brevet-Colonel, 1902; commanded Zhob Section, Mahsud-Waziri Blockading Force, 1900-2 (Commendation of the Government of India twice; Clasp; Brevet of Colonel, 7 June 1902), and troops in Zhob district during disturbances in Sheranni country, 1902 (Commended by Government); commanded the Aden Column during operations in the Aden Hinterland, 1903 (Despatches, 11 February 1905). Colonel Scallon married, in 1904, Jeannette, daughter of John Gordon, Master of the Supreme Court. He commanded the Infantry Brigade, Bangalore, 1904; became Colonel on the Staff, 14 December 1904; created a CB; was Officiating Political Resident and Commanding at Aden, 1905; Commanded Bangalore Brigade, 1906; Major General, 1 December 1936; Adjutant-General in India, 1908; was Secretary to the Government of India, Army Department, 1909; created a KCIE, 1910; Lieutenant General, 23 June 1911; in command of Burma Division, 1911; ADC-General to the King, 1911-15; Lucknow Division, 1913; created a KCB, 1913, and GCB in 1918; Northern Army, 1914-15; invalided, 1915; General, 1917; Staff-Lieutenant at the War Office, 1918; member of the Territorial Force Association (1917) and a Justice of the Peace for the county of Worcester (1918).
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Bombay Staff Corps |
