| Williams | Hugh Bruce | | Captain | WILLIAMS, HUGH BRUCE, Captain and Brevet Major, was born at Simla 24 July 1865, son of General Sir Edward Williams, KCIE, Colonel Commandant, Royal Engineers, and Clementina Bruce, eldest daughter of Thomas Bruce, of Arnot, Scotland. He was educated at Cargilfield, Edinburgh (1877-78); at Winchester College, 1879-82, and entered the Royal Engineers 29 April 1885, from the RMA, Woolwich, becoming Lieutenant 19 March 1894. He was Adjutant, RE Troops, 16 January 1896 to 22 January 1899. From 1899 to 1902 he served in the South African War, as DAAG, Intelligence, 5 June 1900 to 24 September 1902, taking part in the advance on Kimberley; operations in the Orange Free State, Feb to May 1900; operations in the Transvaal, May and June 1900. On the Staff from 5 June Operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, August to 29 November 1900, including action at Rhenoster Kop; operations in Orange River Colony, June and July 1900, including actions at Lindley, (26 June) and Wittebergen; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to July 1901, and November 1901 to 31 May 1902; operations in Orange River Colony, March to October 1901, and March 1902; operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal, October 1901; operations in Cape Colony, February and March 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 and 26 April, 7 May and 9 July 1901; was given the Brevet of Major 20 November 1900; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 26 April 1901]: "Hugh Bruce Williams, Captain and Brevet Major, Royal Engineers. In recognition of his Intelligence work with Brigadier General Plumer. Dated 24 April 1901". The Insignia were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa and presented there. He became Major 1 April 1902; specially promoted to a Half-pay Lieutenant-Colonecy 4 July 1908; became Colonel 7 March 1912, and Major General 3 June 1917. His Staff appointments from the South African War have been as follows: Staff Captain (Intelligence), HQ of Army 1 January 1903 to 31 March 1904; DAQMG, HQ of Army, 1 April 1904 to 31 December 1905; GSO, 2nd Grade, S Command, 1 January to 31 December 1906; Brigade Major and Secretary, School of Military Engineering, 15 October 1907 to 17 June 1908; GSO2, E Command, 18 June to 3 July 1908; GSO2, Irish Command, 3 January 1912 to 23 March 1914; GSO2, Irish Command, 15 April to 27 August 1914; Commandant, L of C (graded Brigadier General), BEF, 23 November 1914 to 14 July 1915; Major General, General Staff, BEF, British Armies in France, 15 July 1915 to 4 June 1916; Brigade Commander, 137th Infantry Brigade, British Armies in France, 5 June 1916 to 8 November 1918; Divisional Commander, 37th Division, British Armies in France, 9 November 1916; GSO1, Irish Command. He served in the European War in France and Flanders from 1914 to 1918; was mentioned in Despatches; created a CB in 1915 and a KCB in 1919. Placed on Half Pay in 1923, he was Colonel Commandant of the Royal Engineers, 1930-35. He died on 14 December 1942. Colonel Sir Hugh Bruce Williams married, in 1889, Mabel, only daughter of Stephen Howard, of Toronto, and they had one son and one daughter.
KCB (m), DSO, QSA (3) CC Trans Witt (Maj, DSO), KSA (2), 1914 Star (Col), BWM, Victory Medal with MID, Legion d'Honneur (France) 3rd Class, Croix de Guerre (France) with palm, Order of the Crown (Belgium) 3rd Class, Croix de Guerre (Belgium) with palm, Pollack Gold Medal. Spink 1978 £1,100. Glendinings 1981, no price information. Miniatures only DNW Apr 06 £550.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |
