| Derry | Arthur | | Lieutenant | DERRY, ARTHUR, Lieutenant, was born at Plymouth, 14 October 1874, son of William Derry, of Houndiscombe. He was educated at Wellington College, and joined the 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment 7 December 1895, having previously served in 3rd Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He was promoted to Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment 22 April 1898, and served in the South African War, 1899-1902, with 6th Mounted Infantry in command of a company. He was present at the Relief of Kimberley; operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Poplar Grove, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; Transvaal, May and June, 1900; actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to September 1900, including action at Venterskroon; operations in the Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including action at Wittebergen (1 to 29 July) and Bothaville; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900, including actions at Colesberg (14 January to 1 February); operations in Cape Colony 30 November 1900 to February 1901; operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, February 1901 to May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901, and 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps; the King's Medal with three clasps, and for gallantry at Diamond Hill he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Arthur Derry, Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was invested by the King 18 December 1902. He was promoted to Captain 9 March, 1902; was Adjutant, 1st Welsh Regiment, 11 March, 1907 to 10 March, 1910; DAA and QMG, Welsh Division, Western Command, 1 April 1912 to 4 August 1914. He served in the European War; became Major 1 November 1914; was Temporary Lieutenant Colonel and DAA and QMG, Welsh Division, 53rd Division, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 23 November 1915 to 23 March 1916; Brigade Major, 115th Infantry Brigade, British Armies in France, 11 July 1916 to 1 April, 1917; GSO, 2nd Grade, 14th Army Corps, British Armies in France; Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force 1 August 1917 to 24 March 1918; GSO2, 10th Army Corps, British Armies in France, 25 March to 28 August 1918; GSO2, 27th Division, British Salonika Force, 29 August to 21 November 1918; DAA and QMG, Portsmouth Garrison, 15 May 1919. He married, in 1902, Caroline Collette, eldest daughter of the Reverend W Oxland, BA, RN, and had one daughter, Naomi Joan.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Welsh Regiment |
