Anglo Boer War

Surname

Forename

Rank

Notes

Unit

Sherston

John

Lieutenant Colonel

He was killed in action at the battle of Talana Hill, October 20th, 1899. He was the son of Captain Sherston, formerly of the 6th Dragoon Guards, of Evercreech House, Bath. Lieutenant Colonel Sherston was born in July 1857, and educated at Marlborough. He entered the 75th Foot February 1876, and was transferred to the Rifle Brigade, February 1877, being promoted Lieutenant February 1878, Captain August 1884, Major November 1894, and Lieutenant Colonel February 1899. He served in the Afghan War, 1878-80, as ADC to his uncle, Field Marshal Earl (then Sir Frederick) Roberts, and was present in the engagement at Charasiah, October 6th, 1879, and subsequent pursuit of the enemy (mentioned in despatches), and the operations around Kabul in December 1879, including the investment of Sherpur (mentioned in despatches). He accompanied Field Marshal Earl Roberts in the march from Kabul to Kandahar, and was present at the battle of September 1st (mentioned in despatches, medal with three clasps, and bronze decoration). He served with the 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade in the Mahsood Wuzeeree Expedition, 1881, and with the Burmese Expedition in 1886-87, as brigade Major (mentioned in despatches, DSO, and medal with clasp). He was brigade Major in Bengal, February 1887 to September 1888, district staff officer, 2nd class, and DAAG, Bengal, October 1888 to March 1891, DAAG in India, March 1893 to October 1898 (additional AAG Head Quarters, India, April 1895 to August 1897). From October 1898, till his departure for South Africa, he was AAG in India. In Natal he was serving on the staff of Sir W P Symons, and fell while close to him at the edge of the wood in the first battle of the war. Lieutenant Colonel Sherston was buried at Talana, and his name was inscribed on a tablet placed in Marlborough College Chapel in memory of all Marlburians who fell in the war.
Source: Donner

(Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Brigade

Sherston

John

Lieutenant Colonel

SHERSTON, JOHN, Lieutenant Colonel, was born in 1857, son of J Davis Sherston, of Evercreech House, Somerset, and of Innes Eliza Maxwell. He was educated at Marlborough and Sandhurst, and entered the Rifle Brigade in 1877; served in the Afghan War, 1879-80, as ADC to General Sir Frederick Roberts, GCB, and was twice mentioned in Despatches, gaining the Medal with three clasps, and the Bronze Star. He took part in the Waziri Expedition in 1881, and was promoted Captain in 1884. In 1882 he married Alice, daughter of General A H Bamfield. He served with the Upper Burma Field Force, 1886-87, as DAA and QG at Headquarters, and was mentioned in Despatches, gaining the Medal with clasp, and was awarded the, Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 25 November 1887]: "John Sherston, Lieutenant Colonel, Rifle Brigade. For services in Burma". He was appointed DAAG for Bengal, 1886-91, and DAAG for Instruction, Punjab, in 1893. He was killed at Talana Hill, South Africa, 20 October 1899.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)

(Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Brigade

Sherston

W M

Captain

MID LG: 16 April 1901, page: 2602. Source: Field Marshal Roberts. 2 April 1901. Re: General mentions
This page contains all the London Gazette pages for the Boer War

Imperial Yeomanry

Sherston

William Maxwell

Captain

SHERSTON, WILLIAM MAXWELL, Captain, was born 14 April 1859, son of J D Sherston, JP, Somerset, of Evercreech, near Bath. He was educated at Marlborough, and Pembroke College, Cambridge; enlisted in the 7th Dragoon Guards, 1877; was promoted Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade, 1882; made Captain, 18th Hussars, 1888, and retired from the 18th Hussars 8 August 1898; served in the South African War, 1881, Transvaal Campaign; served in Egypt, 1884-85 (Medal and two clasps); in Burma, 1887 (Medal and one clasp; mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 2 September 1887]). He served in South Africa, 1900-1, with the Imperial Yeomanry, during operations in the Orange Free State, May 1900, including actions at Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; during operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); during operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including action at Belfast (26 and 27 August). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April 1901], and received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "William Maxwell Sherston, Captain, Imperial Yeomanry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was appointed ADC to Commander-in-Chief, 1901 to 1904; commanded North Somerset Yeomanry, 1904-9; Sub-Lieutenant, RNVR, from August 1914; was subsequently Lieutenant-Commander, Squadron of Naval Armoured Cars, Yeomanry Base Depot, Egypt. Lieutenant Colonel, and Honorary Colonel from 1904; appointed to the command of the Yeomanry at 'B' Divisional Base Depot in Egypt, and in April 1917, was posted to the command of the 22nd Infantry Base Depot, France, and was Camp Commandant, 17th Corps, France, 1918. Colonel Sherston was a JP for Somerset. He married, in 1894, Evelyn Maude Maitland, eldest daughter of J Maitland Spencer, of Oakhill, near Bath.
DSO, IGS 1854 Burma 1885-87 (Lt, RB), Egypt (2) The Nile 1884-85 Abu Klea (Lt, 2/RB), QSA (5) CC OFS Joh D-H Belf (Maj, DSO, IY), 1914-15 Star (Lt Cdr, RNVR), BWM, Victory Medal (Col), 1902 Coronation, Khedives Star 1884-6. Sothebys 1981 £600. DNW 2002 est £2500-3000.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)

Imperial Yeomanry

Sherston

William Maxwell

Captain

Source: QSA Medal Rolls

48th Company, 7th Btn, IY

Shert

1st Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls

Devonshire Regiment

Shert

1st Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls

Suffolk Regiment