| Fitton | Hugh Gregory | | Captain | FITTON, HUGH GREGORY, Captain, was born 15 November 1863 at Gloucester Crescent, Hyde Park, London, son of Edward Brown Fitton, Barrister and Inspector of Factories, and Harriet Margaret Fitton. He was educated at Eton (elected KS, Eton College, 1877); entered Sandhurst (was first on the list), 1883; joined the 1st Berkshire Regiment 5 February 1884. He served in the Royal Warwickshire and Royal West Kent Regiments, Eastern Sudan, 1885 (Medal with clasp and Khedive's Star). He served in the Sudan, 1885-86, with the Frontier Field Force. Action at Ginniss and attack on Ambigole Wells. He again saw active service in the Expedition to Dongola, 1890. As DAAG, Infantry Division (wounded). Operations of 7 June (horse killed). He received the Egyptian Medal with two clasps, was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 3 November 1896], and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 17 November 1896]: "Hugh Gregory Fitton, Captain, Berkshire Regiment. In recognition of services during recent operations in the Sudan". In the Nile Expedition of 1897, he served as Staff Officer to the GOC, Flying Columns, for the occupation of Berber, and the Atbara River. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 26 January 1898], received the 4th Class Medjidie, and a clasp to the Egyptian Medal. He served in the Sudan Campaign of 1898, as DAAG; was present at the battles of Atbara and Khartoum, and was mentioned in Lord Kitchener's Despatch of April 1898, as having "directed the line of advance with the greatest accuracy", and was mentioned in the Despatch of September 1898, for "good service". He received the Medal and two clasps to the Egyptian Medal, and was given the Brevet of Major 16 November 1898. In the South African War 1899-1902, he was DAQMG, 7th Division, 3rd Army Corps, and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg, actions at Poplar Grove, Karee Siding, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River. Operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria. Operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901, and 29 July 1902]; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 22 August 1902, and received the Queen's Medal with three clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps. From 1905-07 he commanded the West Kent Regiment in Hong Kong and Singapore. In 1907 he was appointed ADC to King Edward VII, and in that year he was given the Brevet of Colonel 12 February 1907. In 1910, ADC to King George V. He married, 5 October 1910, at St Mary Abbot's, Kensington, May, sixth daughter of Sir Alfred Hickman, Baronet, of Wightwick, Wolverhampton. In 1910 he was AAG Eastern Command; in 1911 was created a CB, and in 1913 became Director of Recruiting and Organization at the War Office. In 1914 he was given the command of the 101st Brigade, and went with it to France in January 1916. He was shot by a sniper while visiting the trenches, and died of his wounds 20 January 1916.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Royal Berkshire Re |
