| Shea | John Stuart Mackenzie | | Captain | SHEA, JOHN STUART MACKENZIE, Captain, was born 17 January 1869, son of Colonel H J F Shea, RA. He was educated at Sedbergh and Sandhurst, and was gazetted to the Royal Irish Rifles 11 February 1888, becoming Lieutenant, Royal Irish Rifles, 18 February 1890, and Indian Staff Corps, 24 November 1891. He served in the Chitral Campaign, 1895, with the Relief Force, receiving the Medal with clasp, and was promoted to Captain 11 February 1899. He served in the South African War, 1900-2, being employed with Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, and afterwards in command of the 5th and 6th Australian Contingents, from March 1901 to March 1902 Operations in Natal in June 1900, including the action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June). Operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900. Operations in the Transvaal, March to 31 May 1902. Operations in Orange River Colony, December 1900, and March 1901 to March 1902. Operations in Cape Colony, December 1900 to March 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September and 15 November 1901]; was given the Brevet of Major 22 August 1902; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps; was placed on the list of Officers considered qualified for Staff employment, in consequence of service on the Staff in the Field, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]: "John Stuart Mackenzie Shea, Captain, 15th Bengal Lancers, commanding South Australian Mounted Infantry. For gallant leading of a night attack on Smit's Laager, 1 August, against a superior force of the enemy". The Insignia and Warrant were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and presented by Major General Elliott in South Africa. He became Major 11 February 1906, and was a Professor at the Staff College, India, 26 June 1906 to 20 January 1910; and was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 10 July 1912, and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 11 February 1914. Lieutenant Colonel Shea served throughout the European War, holding a special appointment from 5 August 1914 to 28 August 1914, as GSO1, BEF; as GSO2, BEF, 29 August 1914 to 28 December 1914; as GSO1, 6th Division, BEF, 29 December 1914 to 3 July 1915; as Brigade Commander, 151st Infantry Brigade, BEF, British Armies in France, 4 July 1915 to 16 May 1910. He was given the Brevet of Colonel 1 January 1916; was Divisional Commander, 30th Division, British Armies in France, 17 May 1916 to 31 March 1917; became Major General 1 January 1917, and was appointed Divisional Commander, 60th Division, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 2 August 1917. He was mentioned in Despatches, created a CB (1915); given the Brevet of Colonel; created a CMG (1918), and a KCMG (1919). Sir John Shea married, in 1902, Winifred Mary, daughter of William Congreve, of Burton and Congreve, and they had three daughters.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Indian Staff Corps |
