| Capper | Thompson | | Major | CAPPER, THOMPSON, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, was born 20 October 1863, son of W Copeland Capper, ICS. He joined the Army as a Lieutenant in the East Lancashire Regiment 9 September 1882, and was promoted Captain 22 April, 1891, serving as Adjutant 29 October 1890 to 28 October 1894. He served during the operations in Chitral, 1895, with the Relief Force (Medal with clasp); was employed with the Egyptian Army 31 December 1897 to 14 July 1899; served with the Nile Expedition, 1898, with Egyptian Army; was present in the battles of the Atbara and Khartoum (Despatches [London Gazette, 30 September 1898]; Brevet of Major 16 November 1898; Egyptian Medal with two clasps; Medal). Served with the Nile Expedition, 1899 (clasp to Egyptian Medal). During the South African War he was Staff Captain (Intelligence), Headquarters of Army, 15 July to 12 November 1899; DAAG, 13 November 1899 to 19 October 1900; Staff Officer and AAG 20 October 1900 to 1 April, 1902. He became Major 5 December 1901; was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; in the operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; and in the operations on Tugela Heights, 14 to 27 February 1900, and action at Pieter's Hill; in Natal, March to June, 1900, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); during the operations in Orange Free State and Transvaal; also in Cape Colony, January 1901 to 31 May 1902; in command of a Mobile Column (24 June, 1901, to end of operations) (Despatches: Sir R H Buller, 3 February, 30 March, 19 June and 9 November 1900 [London Gazette, 8 February 1901, and 29 July 1902]; Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 29 November 1900; Queen's Medal with six clasps, and King's Medal with two clasps. He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Thompson Capper, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, The East Lancashire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was Professor at the Staff College, 23 December 1902 to 2 February 1904, and DAAG at the Staff College 3 February 1904 to 22 December 1905. He was given his Brevet Colonelcy 11 December 1904, and became Colonel 31 March, 1906, on taking up the appointment of Commandant at the Indian Staff College. He was created a CB in 1910; was given the command of the 13th Infantry Brigade, 1911; became Inspector General of Infantry in 1914. He commanded the 7th Division in the European War; became Major General 12 May 1914 and was created a KCMG for his services. Major General Sir Thompson Capper died 27 September 1915, of wounds received the previous day. He had married, in 1908, the daughter of the Honourable R Gerard, of Wrightington Hall, Lancashire.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | East Lancashire Regiment |
