Lieut-General Hon Charles Wemyss Thesiger


Charles Wemyss Thesiger was the second son of Frederick, 1st Lord Chelmsford who was twice Lord High Chancellor of England. His elder brother was the second Lord Chelmsford, Commander-in-Chief in Zululand in the 1879 war. Charles was born on 12 Oct 1831, and at the age of 17 was given a cadetship in the East India Company's service. In 27 Feb 1849 he was a cornet in the 5th Madras Light Cavalry and stayed in that regiment for 4 years. In 1853 he transferred into the 14th Light Dragoons and was posted with them to Meerut and Kirkee. On 17 June 1857 he transferred to the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. The photo shows him in civilian clothes in 1858 while he was a captain in the Inniskillings. Later that year he was appointed ADC to the Earl of Eglington, Lord Lieutenant in Ireland. But after a few months rejoined his regiment to go to India. In 1860 he was ADC to Brigadier-General Pattle who commanded the cavalry brigade in the China War. He was at the battles of Taku Forts and Peking. When the regiment returned to England he became Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding officer from 1868 to 1878. On 3 April 1878 he was appointed Inspecting officer of Auxiliary Cavalry, and in 1885 was promoted to Major-General, commanding a brigade at Curragh and made Inspector-General of Cavalry in Ireland. In 1890 he reached the rank of Lieutenant-General and given a pension of 100 pounds for distinguished service. On 24 Jan 1892 he was Colonel of the 5th Lancers and then on 4 Oct 1896 was appointed to the Colonelcy of the 14th Hussars. He died on 29 July 1903. His wife was Charlotte Elizabeth Handcock whom he married on 23 April 1863. They had three children, a daughter, Ethel and two sons, one of whom was Major-General George Thesiger who served in the Rifle Brigade.


Regimental Details | 14th Hussars Colonels


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