| Brett | Charles Arthur Hugh | | Captain | BRETT, CHARLES ARTHUR HUGH, Captain, was born at Muttra, India, 28 March, 1865, son of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Brett, APD (formerly 2nd Dragoon Guards, Queen's Bays), and Georgina, his wife, daughter of Hugh Hannay, Paymaster, RN. He entered the Army as Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment 9 May 1885. He served in the Hazara Expedition in 1888, and received the Medal with clasp; was promoted Captain 15 June, 1894. From January 1895 to January 1899, he was Adjutant of the 1st Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, and Adjutant, 4th Battalion, 15 November 1900 to 14 November 1905. He again saw active service in the South African War, taking part in the operations south of the Orange River, 1899-1900, including the action at Colesberg when he was severely wounded. Later he saw service in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, and in the Orange River Colony from July to October 1900. He was mentioned in Despatches 10 September 1901, and received the Queen's Medal with three clasps. For his gallantry at Colesberg, in 1900, when, though shot through the lungs, he kept up command of his company actually charging the Boer trenches in this state until he fell exhausted from loss of blood, he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Charles Arthur Hugh Brett, Captain, Suffolk Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 29 October 1901, and the Warrant, etc, sent 25 January 1902. He was promoted Major, 24 February 1906. When European hostilities commenced he left the Curragh, August 1914, in command of the 2nd Battalion, to go to France, and fell in action at Le Gateau 26 August 1914, whilst leading his men. He was mentioned in Sir John French's Despatches, September 1914. Major Brett married, in 1909, Enid Geraldine, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel H H St George, Senior Ordnance Officer, Scottish District, and they had one daughter, Ione Moncrieff St George, born 10 October 1909.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Suffolk Regiment |
