Major-General Lord Chesham K. C. B.
Major-General Lord Chesham K. C. B.
Charles Compton William Cavendish, third Baron Chesham, was born on the 13th December 1850, entered the Army as Ensign and Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards on the 30th March 1870, and was transferred to the Tenth as Lieutenant on the 1st January 1873.He served with it in India to the 23rd January 1878, when he exchanged into the 16th Lancers, retiring from the Army in the following year. He was the Adjutant of the Tenth from the 1th February 1876 to the 12th October 1877, when he vacated the appointment on promotion to Captaincy; thus it will be seen that by far the greater portion of his soldiering was with the Regiment with which he specially identified himself to the end of his days – days which may be said to have been wholly devoted to his country and his Sovereign.
His father, the second Baron Chesham, served in the Tenth successively as Cornet and Lieutenant, from the 30th August 1833 to the 27th March 1840, and we sanguinely anticipate that the near future will witness the re-appearance of this name, honoured by all ranks on the roll of the Regiment. It was not Lord Chesham’s good fortune to see active service with the Tenth, but even now, nearly thirty three years after his service in the Regiment, his reputation lives as a smart soldier, as keen supporter of every form of sport, promoting emulation amongst those under him with the wonderful tact and urbanity which were characteristic of him at all times, and under all circumstance; and loved by all.
In India he won distinction on the polo ground, on the race course, and in pigsticking, for in 1877 the Kadir cup and the Ganges Cup came to the Regiment, the latter to Lord Chesham who had a fine record of “first spears”.
Soon after leaving the Army, he succeeded another Tenth Hussar, Lord Valentia, as Master of the Bicester, and hunted that famous pack for many years. The High Sherriff of Buckingham, speaking of Lord Chesham in that capacity, said “probably the hounds never had a better Master”. – perseverance, self-control, unselfishness, pluck and endurance – which endeared him to his field, who naturally all readily obeyed his command. He was the type of man England alone produced, and whose example the young men of the country should try to follow.
He will perhaps be best remembered for his services in the South African War: on the outbreak of hostilities he volunteered his services, and most prominently helped to raise the Imperial Yeomanry. Quoting Lord Roberts, – “Lord Chesham was one of the first to realise the necessity for a large number of mounted men being required for the war; it was in great measure owing to his capability, and his habit of organisation, the Imperial Yeomanry was formed and sent to that country”. During the war he proved himself to be a most gallant leader, and at the close of the war he performed valuable service as Inspector-General of Imperial Yeomanry. He commanded the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry before the war, and raised that Regiment to a state of efficiency rarely equalled, never surpassed, by our Auxiliary Cavalry. Many measures introduced, it is said, bear testimony to Lord Chesham’s old association to the Tenth.
In South Africa he commanded a Brigade of Imperial Yeomanry, and was a Brigadier-General on the Staff.
He served with Lord Methuen, and with Sir Charles Douglas, round Boshoff and Kimberley, and was present at the Relief of Kimberley, the battles of Lindley, Rhenoster River, and Venterstrom, and in the pursuit of Colonel Villebois, whom the Yeomanry overthrew. Speaking of him as a Yeoman, Mr Norman McCorquodale declared that “As Colonel of the Yeomanry his men loved him, and those who served under him in South Africa spoke of his great work out there. They all remembered how nobly he responded to duty’s call, risking his own life, and that he gave the life of his eldest son to this country”.
Lord Chesham held that appointment of Master of the Royal Buckhounds, and was Lord of the Bedchamber to H. R. H. The Prince of Wales, now His Majesty King George V.
His death, while hunting with the Pytchley Hounds caused widespread regret amongst a very large circle of all classes in England, particularly in Buckinghamshire, his own county, where he was known from his earliest youth; he was brought up there and associated with all in the country. The inhabitants, to perpetuate the memory of their fellow county-man, determined to give tangible proof of the affection and admiration that they felt for him, resulting at Aylesbury on Thursday, the 14th July last, in one of the most brilliant and impressive ceremonies the county has ever witnessed.
On that day, in the presence of a huge concourse of people, representative of every class, a statue to the memory of Lord Chesham of which a photograph is here reproduced, was unveiled by Field-Marshal Lord Roberts V. C.
Statue of Major-General Lord Chesham K. C. B.
Representing the Tenth on the occasion were Lord Valentia, Colonel St Quintin and Captain Kearsey.
In performing the ceremony entrusted to him, Lord Roberts deplored the loss of a dear friend, who was a fine soldier, a true gentleman, and, in the highest sense of the word, a sportsman: his (Lord Chesham’s) many sterling qualities endeared him to all, and made him – and rightly made him – one of the most popular men of his day. Many knew him as a country gentleman of the best type, and a neighbour; others as a good, bold rider, a successful Master of Hounds, and a good shot. But others knew him as a keen and gallant soldier. What all valued, and what was so attractive in Lord Chesham, was his manliness, his straight-forwardness, his large hearted generosity, and his cheerfulness in all circumstances, which, added to his lovable nature, made him the best of comrades”.
The Band of the Grenadier Guards, conducted by a former Tenth Hussar – Lieut. William Mus. Doc. – was in attendance, and at the moment of unveiling, by the special wish of Lady Chesham, the Regimental evening hymn was played.
We rejoice that fitting honour has been done to the memory of this Tenth Hussar who may be best described by dubbing him “Gallant soldier, great sportsman, perfect type of Englishman,” who brought honour to his country by his gallantry on the battlefield, and by his wonderful power of organisation, proved in a remarkable degree, during the early days of the South Africa War.
His cheerful sacrifices on behalf of his country in the hour of need will never be forgotten. His death was one he would probably chosen for himself. At Daventry in Northamptonshire stands a cross to mark the spot where his horse fell and a brave man went to his rest.
Lord Chesham’s noble example cannot fail to inspire the young men of England with lofty and patriotic thoughts; his memory will endure forever in his Regiment – The Tenth.
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The Secretary of the Admiralty states that information has been received from the Commander-in-Chief at the Cape of Good Hope, dated December 3rd, reporting that the transport Ismore struck on the rocks off Columbine Point, near St Helen’s Bay, distant about 75 miles north of Table Bay, in calm, thick weather. The troops had been landed, also a quantity of baggage, most of the guns, swords, carbines and some ammunition. The men were reported to be comfortable and plenty of food available. The Admiralty was sending HM ships Niobe and Doris, also the transport Columbine, with lighters to assist.
A copy of a telegram has been received from the principal transport officer at Cape Town, dated the 4th inst., reporting that the transport Ismore (no 52.)broke up on Sunday night. Her stern is out of water and her bows gone. All hands and 20 horses were saved and will probably entrain to Malmesbury. The Ismore, which went ashore in Helen’s Bay on Sunday morning is the second transport that has come to grief on the voyage to the Cape the Persia having been disabled in a storm at St Vincent while conveying the C Squadron of Dragoons and some men of the Inniskillings on November 8th. In the latter case all the troops and horses were successfully transferred to the transport Goth, but in the case of the Ismore a large number of the horses were lost. She had on board the 63rd Field Battery, Royal Artillery from Bristol, “A” Squadron of the Tenth Hussars and a troop of “B” Squadron of the Tenth Hussars from Aldershot, and No. 9 Company (Bearer) Royal Army Medical Corp from Colchester. The military details would necessarily have with them a considerable number of horses, for the mounted troops on board number 460. As only 20 horses were reported saved, it is feared that the loss of animals is serious, inasmuch as they would not be3 of the chartered class, but selected trained chargers and gun-teams. The value placed upon such animals by military authorities is very considerable, and the loss will be much keenly felt by reason by the dearth of suitable and reliable mounts and gun-teams at the front.
It is too be hoped that the troops will be able to save the six field pieces, if not the wagons and other pieces of the Field 63rd Battery, but nothing is said as to this being effected.
The presence of warships at the scene of the wreck may have been valuable in this respect, assuming that the position of the wreck and weather permitted the sufficiently near approach of the working parties who would have the advantage of the necessary appliances for transferring the guns. The time at the disposal of those on the spot between the hours of the vessel sinking and breaking up to save much other than themselves would seem to have been very limited, and therefore it cannot be hoped that any considerable proportion of the vessel’s war stores can have been saved. It is known that with the troops were landed some guns, swords, carbines etc. and ammunition; but the bulk of Ismore’s cargo cannot have been landed in the time available. It will be remembered that the Ismore endeavoured to leave England in a gale, and after futile attempts took shelter in Moelfre Bay on the Anglesey coast until November 8th, when she put to sea four days late.
The Ismore had on board 400 rank and file of various sections. The 63rd Field Battery consisted of six officers, 170 men and 140 horses, with six 15 pounder guns 11 four-wheeled military vehicles, ambulance wagons, and stores. The Bearer Company of the Royal Army Medical Corps on board consisted of one officer and 52 men, with ambulance wagons and fittings. The A squadron and troop of B squadron of the Tenth Hussars on board numbered about 180 officers and men. There were altogether about 250 horses shipped, together with numerous wagons and vehicles. Major W Paget is the officer commanding the Field battery , and Major Alexander the Hussars.
The Press Association added that 230 valuable horses have been lost to the British cavalry and artillery proceeding to the front by the wreck of the Ismore. It is scarcely possible that the numerous ambulance wagons and other vehicles referred to in the above telegram can have been saved owing to the difficulties of transfer, and consequently one of the most important non-combative branches of the military service has lost probably their conveyance and medical equipment and supplies.
From the Glasgow Herald 3rd December 1889
By kind Permission of the British Library Board.