| Beynon | William George Laurence | | Lieutenant | BEYNON, WILLIAM GEORGE LAURENCE, Lieutenant, was born at Agra, India, 5 November 1860, son of General W H Beynon, of 25 Ashburn Place, London, and Charlotte, daughter of Lieutenant General Sir G St Patrick Laurence, KCSI, CB. He was educated at Marlborough, and Sandhurst Royal Military College; joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment as Second Lieutenant 5 February 1887. He served in the Black Mountain Expedition, 1888 (Medal and clasp); became Lieutenant, Indian Staff Corps, 11 December 1889. He served as Staff Officer to Colonel Kelly in the Gilgit Field Force; in the Siege of Chitral 1895; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 July 1895], received the Medal and clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 10 July 1895]: "In recognition of services during the recent operations in Chitral, William George Laurence Beynon, Lieutenant, Indian Staff Corps". The Insignia were presented 7 November 1895. He served in the Hazara Campaign, North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98. Operations in Samana and in the Kurram Valley during August and September 1897. Relief of Gulistan (two clasps). He again saw active service in the Tirah Campaign, 1897-98, being present at the actions of Chagra Kotal and Dargai, and capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes. Reconnaissance of the Saran Sar and action of 2 November 1897. Operations in and around Dwatoi and action of 24 November 1897. Operations in the Bara Valley 7-14 December 1897. Affair at Shinkamar on 29 January 1898. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 1 March 1898]; was given the Brevet of Major 20 May 1898, and received a clasp. He served in the Somaliland Expedition in 1901 in command of the Mounted troops; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 18 April 1902], received the Medal and clasp, and the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel on attaining substantive Majority. He served in Tibet in 1904 as DAQMG; was present at the action of Niani, and at the operations in and around Gyantse. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 13 December 1904]; received the Medal and clasp, and the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 10 November 1904. He became Major 5 February 1905; was given the Brevet of Colonel 10 November 1910; became Colonel, 1 January 1911; served in the Abor Expedition, 1911-12. He served in the European War from 1915; was Brigade Commander (Colonel on Staff), India, 2 November 1914 to 6 May 1917; Brigade Commander, India, 1 September 1917 to 14 June 1918; Divisional Commander, India, 15 June 1918; was promoted to Major General 1 January 1917. He was created a CB in 1915; a CIE in 1910, and a KCIE in 1917, and mentioned in Despatches in 1916. Sir William Beynon married, in 1898, Edith Norah, youngest daughter of George Petrie, of 1 De Vere Gardens, London, and they had three daughters. He wrote 'With Kelly to Chitral'.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Indian Staff Corps |
