Bethell | Hugh Edward | | Lieutenant Colonel | BETHELL, EDWARD HUGH, Lieutenant Colonel, was born 27 January 1854, son of W F Bethell, of Rise, Yorkshire, and of Mrs Bethell (nee Elizabeth Denison). He was educated at Rugby School, and for a short time at Wimbledon. He was gazetted to the Royal Engineers on 9 January 1873. He served in the Afghan War, 1878-80; was mentioned in Despatches, and received the Medal. He became Captain 8 January 1885; passed the Staff College, 1888-90; was Brigade Major, Royal Engineers, Headquarters, Ireland, August 1890 to August 1895; promoted Major 1 October 1892, and Lieutenant Colonel in November 1899. He served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902; on the Staff as Staff Officer, RE, at Headquarters, to November 1903, and then as Inspector of Blockhouse Lines. He was twice mentioned in Despatches; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and the King's Medal with two clasps; created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Edward Hugh Bethell, Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa" and was given a Brevet Colonelcy for distinguished service in the field 28 June, 1902. Colonel Bethell was promoted to substantive Colonel in 1905, and appointed Chief Engineer, Southern Command, in August of that year; he retired in August 1906. He served as a Chief Engineer, and in equivalent positions from June, 1915 to November 1917, and was awarded the CMG in 1917. Colonel Bethell married (first) in 1881, Gertrude (who died in 1888), daughter of Colonel Eustace Hill, and they had two sons: (1) Hugh Keppel, who joined the RA in 1903, transferred to the Indian Army, and served in the 7th Gurkhas, passed the Indian Staff College, transferred to the 7th Hussars, served as Staff Captain of Mixed Cavalry Brigade in 1914 in France, then Brigade Major of 6th Cavalry Brigade, then commanding 1st Northamptons, then commanding a brigade, and finally as Major General Commanding the 66th Division. He received his Brevet Majority, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and Brevet Colonel, also the DSO and CMG and CB. (2) Christopher, who enlisted as a Private in the Foot Guards in September 1914, was given a commission in the 10th KOYLI, promoted to Captain in 1915, and was killed in action at Armentieres in February 1916. Colonel Bethell married (secondly), in 1890, Annie, daughter of the Reverend J G Lonsdale, Canon of Lichfield, and they had one son, David Jardine, who served as Lieutenant and Acting Captain, first in the 9th KOYLI, and then for three years in the 2nd Scots Guards. He was awarded the Military Cross and a Bar to the same.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |