Applin | Reginald | | Captain | APPLIN, REGINALD VINCENT KEMPENFELDT, Captain, was born 11 April, 1869, at Exeview, Alphington, near Exeter, eldest son of Captain Vincent J Applin, RMT (Crimean and China Campaigns), and Mrs W J Applin. He was educated at Sherborne School, and entered the British North Borneo Service as a Cadet in December 1889; was Police Magistrate and JP for Crown Colony, Labuan, 1894; District Officer, Interior, 1897. He served through the Syed and Nat Salleh Rebellions, 1895-97 (Medal and clasp). He was twice thanked by Board of Directors, BNB, for services against the Tumnunam tribes. He became Captain, 6th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, 28 July 1898; served through the South African War, 1899-1901; was District Commissioner from 1 June, 1900, at Bloemfontein; Staff Officer and Acting Provost-Marshal, OR, 10 October to 24 November 1900; took part in operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, Orange Free State (against Hertzog), and Transvaal, March to 29 November 1900, including action at Luekhoff, November 1900; operations in Orange River Colony 30 November to December 1900; operations in Cape Colony (against De Wet), December to September 1900. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901, and 29 July 1902]; awarded the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Reginald Applin, Captain, Lancashire Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became Captain, 14th (King's) Hussars, 19 July 1905; was DAAG for Musketry, Malta, 26 August 1905 to 3 December 1906; Major, 14th Hussars, 3 June, 1911; Commandant, School of Musketry (temporary); became Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 16 October 1916. In the Great War Lieutenant Colonel Applin commanded the Machine Guns of the 2nd ANZA Corps at the battles of Messines and Passchendaele, and the Third Battle of Ypres, 1916-17. He headed the British Machine-Gun Mission to the USA, and received the thanks of the Secretary of State for War, USA, 1918. In January 1920, was offered OBE, but refused it with thanks. He was twice mentioned in Despatches, and was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1919. He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 14th King's Hussars 22 February 1919. Lieutenant Colonel Applin is the author of 'Machine-Gun Tactics', the first book to deal exhaustively with this subject, published by Hugh Rees in 1907. His favourite recreations were hunting, shooting and fishing. He married, 17 April, 1902, at Plymouth, Beatrice Caroline, eldest surviving daughter of George Bather, of Wroxeter Salop.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Lancashire Fusiliers |