| Capel | Algernon Essex | | Captain | CAPELL, ALGERNON ESSEX, Captain, was born at Tottehall, near Wolverhampton, 1 November 1869 (a member of the Essex family of Capell, direct line), and was educated at Felsted School. He joined the Cape Mounted Rifles as a trooper in 1889, and remained in the corps till 1899, when he joined Bethune's Mounted Infantry as Lieutenant, having served through Pondoland at the annexation. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, and was promoted to Captain in 1900 "for gallantry in the field" at Scheeper's Nek. He joined the SAC in 1900, and was promoted to Major in 1902; was mentioned in Despatches (twice by General Buller and once each by Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener), and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Algernon Essex Capel, Captain, Bethune's Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, etc, were sent, to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and presented by the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901. Major Capell was "ejected from the SAC by the Boer Government of 1908". He was appointed Assistant District Commissioner, Dagoretti, British East Africa; Chief of Police, Grenada, 1910-12 (awarded King's Police Medal), and Assistant Commissioner, British South Africa Police, in Southern Rhodesia, since 1913. He served in the European War from 1914; commanded a column to German South-West Africa; captured Shuckmansburg, the capital of Caprivi Zippel strip of German territory; given command in December 1914, of the 2nd Rhodesian Regiment, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; was mentioned in Despatches by General Smuts, and received the Croix de Guerre. Major Capell has "devoted most of his life to big game and other shooting when on leave". He married, in 1903, Lois Ethel, daughter of W Slatter, of Stratton, Cirencester, and they had one son and one daughter.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Bethune's Mounted Infantry |
