| Tanner | John Arthur | | Lieutenant | TANNER, JOHN ARTHUR, Lieutenant, was born 27 February 1858, at Tidcombe Manor, Wilts, eldest son of John and Marian Tanner, of Poulton, Marlborough. He was educated at Cheltenham College, which he entered in April 1868, as a boarder at Teighmore, and he went on to Hazelwell, becoming head of his House during his last year at College. At school he had a distinguished career, being Junior Mathematic Scholar, 1870-71; Senior Mathematic Scholar in 1873; Dobson Scholar in 1874; Jex-Blake Scholar in 1875, winning the Cheltenham Society Prize in 1874, and being Silver (Mathematical) Medallist in 1874 and 1875. He was noted for his quiet force of character, and in athletics, without being specially prominent, he was a vigorous member of several house teams, and obtained his XXII at cricket. John Arthur Tanner passed fourth into Woolwich in July 1875, and while there, obtained prizes for Fortification, Geometrical Drawing, Drills and Exercises, and entered the Royal Engineers on 19 June 1877. He served in the Mahsud Wazuree Expedition in 1881; in the Sudan Expedition in 1885; Suakin, Medal and clasp, and Bronze Star. He served in the Burmese Expedition, 1885-88, as Adjutant, Royal Engineers; was twice mentioned in Despatches [London Gazettes, 22 June 1886, and 2 September 1887]; received the Medal and clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 25 November 1887]: "John Arthur Tanner, Lieutenant and Adjutant, RE. For services in Burma". He became Captain 1 April 1888, and Major 1 October 1895; served during the operations in Chitral in 1895, with the Relief Force, as Adjutant, RE, 27 March to August 1895; was present at the storming of the Malakand Pass, and the actions at Swat River and Panjkora River; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 15 November 1895], and received the Medal with clasp. He served on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98 (clasp); became Lieutenant Colonel in 1903; served on the Staff in India, as DAAG, RE, 1900-3; AAG, RE, 1903-6; General Staff Officer, 1st Grade, Headquarters, 1910 to 1913. He became Colonel 1 July 1906; was created a CB in 1911, and retired 1 April 1914. On the outbreak of the European War, Colonel Tanner volunteered his services as a retired officer. In October 1914, he was given the work of a Lieutenant Colonel, as CRE, 22nd Division, and helped to train the RE's for the New Army, with whom he went to France in September 1915. In October 1915, he was made CE of the 7th Corps, with the rank of Brigadier General. He was three times mentioned in Despatches, and created a CMG. He married on 24 February 1916, Gladys Helen, daughter of C T Murdoch, MP of Buckhurst, Wokingham. Brigadier General Tanner was killed in action, almost instantaneously, by a piece of shrapnel which struck him behind the ear 23 July 1917.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
