| Ford-Hutchinson | George | | Captain | FORD-HUTCHINSON, GEORGE HIGGINSON, Captain, was born 21 October 1863, at Stranocum, County Antrim, Ireland, son of William Ford-Hutchinson, JP, of Stranocum House, County Antrim, and Alice, daughter of the Reverend Leslie Creery, Archdeacon of Connor. He was educated at Monaghan Diocesan School; at Foyle College, Londonderry; at Trinity College, Dublin, and at the RM College, Sandhurst; and was gazetted to the Connaught Rangers as Lieutenant 9 May 1885, becoming Captain 2 November 1891. He was on Special Service, Egypt, 21 March 1896 to 18 February 1897, and served in the Expedition to Dongola, 1896 (Egyptian Medal). From 19 February 1897 to 26 March 1899, he was employed with the Egyptian Army, and in 1897 he served in the Nile Expedition (clasp to Egyptian Medal). In the Nile Expedition of 1898 he was present at the Battles of Atbara and Khartoum; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 24 May and 30 September 1898]; received the Medal and two clasps to the Egyptian Medal, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 15 November 1898]: "George Ford-Hutchinson, Captain, The Connaught Rangers. In recognition of services during the recent operations in Egypt and the Sudan, including the Battles of the Atbara and Khartoum". The Insignia were presented by the Queen at Windsor 1 December 1898. He served in the South African War from 8 June 1900 to 8 July 1902; as Railway Staff Officer (graded Staff Captain), South Africa, 8 June 1900 to 21 May 1901; as Railway Staff Officer 22 May 1901 to 18 July 1902. He was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso. Operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, August to October 1900, including action at Belfast (26 and 27 August). Operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, November 1900. Operations in Orange River Colony, November 1900, on the Staff. He received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps. He was Adjutant, Militia, 10 October 1902 to 15 November 1904; became Major 16 November 1904; became Lieutenant Colonel 16 July 1910; commanded the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers, 1910-14; retired 16 July 1914. During the European War he commanded the 15th Service Battalion Connaught Rangers in 1914 and 1915, and served on the French front in command of this battalion in 1915. He married, 3 September 1902, at Banagher Church, County Londonderry, Mary Stewart Moore, daughter of Reverend Canon Creery.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Connaught Rangers |
