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MAJ GEN Sir Holled Smith |
Major General Sir Charles Holled Smith KCMG CB was born on 12th September 1846 in the historic market town of Romsey, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom. He was the youngest son of Charles Sergison Smith Esq. and his first wife, Georgiana Gardner, [1] and a great grandson of Rear Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, 1st Baron Gardner. Charles Junior's mother died when he was just two years of age. He was educated at Shrewsbury.
Charles entered the British Army in 1865 having been commissioned Second Lieutenant and was promoted to Captain in 1877, Brevet Major in 1882, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in 1885, and Brevet Colonel in 1888.
He served in the Zulu and Boer Wars, 1879-1881 (Mentioned in Despatches, South Africa Medal with Clasp); Egyptian War, 1882 (Mentioned in Despatches, Egypt Medal with Clasp, Khedive’s Star); Nile Expedition, 1884-1885 (Mentioned in Despatches, Clasp); Soudan, 1885-1886; Suakin, 1888 (Mentioned in Despatches, Clasp); and Tokar, 1891 (Clasp, Khedive’s Star, Order of Medjidie 2nd Class).
Aged 37 years, Charles married Maud Whitttingstall, fifteen years his junior, in 1883 in Kensington, London. [2] Although the couple did not subsequently have children, Maud was a strong support to her husband as he entered a new career phase; that of commandant and diplomat.
Charles was appointed governor of Red Sea Littoral (Order of Osmanieh 2nd Class) and commandant at Suakin, 1888-1892. [3]
In late 1894 Charles was appointed Commandant of the Victorian Colonial Military Force and was promoted Major General. He was created Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) and Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). [3]
When Charles visited his peer and friend in Sydney, The Argus published the following report on 14th September 1895 (edited and condensed for brevity) in support of the closer relationships between the colonies' defence forces: [4]
It is possible that Charles did more than any other to establish Australia's Light Horse when, in 1899 in publicly declaring his support of the idea of an Australian force for the Second Boer War stated that Mounted Rifles, as opposed to cavalry or infantry, were "essentially the arm for Australia. They know the country to be operated over, and they can ride". [5]
Sir Charles and Lady Smith retired to England in November 1899. [6] He was 53 years of age but, apparently, unlikely to gain further promotion. He may simply have no longer sought the military life.
Nothing is known of Charles during his lengthy retirement; some 25 years. Did he take on directorships? Did he take up farming? What were his views on The Great War of 1914-1919?
Maud passed away, aged 56 years, in 1917 in Steyning, West Sussex.
Sir Charles passed away, aged 78 years, on 18th March 1925 in the seaside resort of Hove, East Sussex [7] and is buried nearby in Saint Helen's Churchyard, Hangleton. [8]
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Categories: Romsey, Hampshire | First Boer War | Anglo-Zulu War | Southern Africa Medal (South Africa) | Egypt Medal | Mentioned in Despatches | Nile Expedition 1884-85 | Suakin, Sudan | Order of the Medjidie Second Class | British Army Generals | Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George | Companions of the Order of the Bath | Colonial Military Force, Victoria | Hove, Sussex | England, Notables | Notables