| Astell | Somerset Charles Godfrey Fairf | | Captain | ASTELL, SOMERSET CHARLES GODFREY FAIRFAX, Captain, was born on the 15th July 1866, son of General C E Astell (and grandson of W Astell, MP), and of H D, daughter of F Spaight, of Derry Castle, Tipperary. He was educated at St Columba College, Dublin, and joined the service 4 May 1887, becoming Captain 17 December 1895. He served in the Sudan (Dongola), 1896, and received two medals, the Queen's and the Khedive's. He served in the South African War in 1900; was Intelligence Officer, Wakkerstroom, April, 1901; in charge of the Johannesburg Criminal Investigation Department 6 June, 1900 to 25 February 1901; was present at the Relief of Kimberley, during operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; during actions at Karee Siding, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; during operations in the Transvaal in May 1900, including actions near Johannesburg. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April, 1901], and received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Somerset Charles Godfrey Fairfax Astell, Captain, North Staffordshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". (Insignia, etc, sent to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, and presented by the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901). Captain Astell was Adjutant, 4th North Staffordshire Quarters, Lichfield, 1902-3. He married, in 1903, Frederica Beatrice, only child of James Frederick Roberts, CMG, FRGS, and Mary Beatrice, second daughter of Sankey Gardner, JP, of Eaglesbush Neath. Captain Astell's favourite recreations were hunting, shooting and fishing. He died 24 March, 1917.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince of Wales's) North Staffordshire Regiment |
