Horace George Proctor-Beauchamp

Colonel Sir Horace George Proctor-Beauchamp gained notoriety as the colonel who led a disastrous attack on the Turks at Gallipoli which wiped out the 5th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment on 12 August 1915 and brought about his own death. He was appointed CO of the 1/5th Norfolks on 14 Nov 1914 having been a cavalryman since he joined the 20th Hussars on 11 Oct 1878. He had no experience of commanding infantry and had been retired for at least 8 years.
Horace was born on 3 Nov 1856 the third son son of Sir Thomas William Brogrove Proctor-Beauchamp 4th Bt and Hon Catherine Esther Waldegrave. He joined the 20th Hussars as a lieutenant on 11 Oct 1878. He served in the Sudan, at Suakin in 1885, and the Sudan campaign of 1888. He was in South Africa from 1901 to 1902 for the Boer War where he commanded the 20th Hussars. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and commanded the 20th from 9 Sep 1899 to 9 Sep 1903. He married Florence Leavitt on 15 Nov 1892 but they were divorced in 1915. He inherited the baronetcy from his brother on 10 Nov 1912 and became the 6th Baronet of Langley Park, Norfolk. He was also a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He was killed in action on 12 Aug 1915 at the age of 58.The photo shows him in the uniform of the 5th (Territorial) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

Regimental Details | Commanding Officers