| Byron | Richard | | Captain | BYRON, RICHARD, Captain, was born 19 February 1870, at Secunderabad, India, eldest, son of Major General John Byron. He was educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was gazetted to the King's Royal Rifle Corps 7 May 1890. He served in the Hazara Expedition, 1891 (Medal with clasp); in the Miranzai Expedition, 1891 (clasp). He became Lieutenant 23 November 1892, and served in the Isazai Expedition, 1892. He served with the Chitral Relief Force, 1896 (Medal with clasp), and was promoted to Captain 27 January 1898. He was Adjutant, Militia, 16 August 1899, to 15 August 1904. Captain Byron served in the South African War, 1900-1, as Adjutant, 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, and was present at the operations in the Orange Free State, April to May 1900; operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, February to April, 1900; operations in the Transvaal, May and June, 1901; operations in Orange River Colony, November 1900 to May 1901; operations in Cape Colony, June and July 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Medal and four clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Richard Byron, Captain, King's Royal Rifle Corps. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 29 October 1901. He was promoted to Major 7 October 1905, and retired 23 January 1909, joining the Reserve of Officers. In 1913 he was appointed to command the 5th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. He served in the European War, 1914 to 1919; was mentioned in Despatches, and given the Brevet of Colonel (1917). He commanded the Medway Reserve Brigade, 1916 to April 1919. Colonel Byron married, in 1896, Mabel Mackenzie, daughter of C A Winter, of 33, Hyde Park Square, London, and they had one son, Second Lieutenant R G Byron, 4th Dragoon Guards, born on 3 November 1899, and one daughter, Sheila Margaret.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | King's Royal Rifle Corps |
