Major-General Hugh Richard Dawnay, 8th Viscount Downe KCVO CB CIE

Hugh Richard Dawnay was born on 20 July 1844, second son of William Dawnay, 7th Viscount Downe. His mother was Mary Bagot daughter of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. He was then commissioned into the 2nd Life Guards in August 1865, promoted to captain on 25 June 1873 and fought in the Zulu War of 1879. He reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Life Guards and went on half pay in 1886. He assumed command of the 10th Hussars on 13 Sep 1887 while they were stationed in England, firstly at Hounslow, then in April 1888 they marched to York. While there he encouraged rowing on the River Ouse, and football which became a popular regimental sport. His tenure as CO ended in January 1892 a year after the regiment moved to Ireland. When Prince Albert Victor died in 1892 Colonel Viscount Downe acted as a pall bearer.
In the South African War of 1899 to 1902 he was a staff officer with the job of accompanying foreign military attachés. In march 1901 he was sent on diplomatic missions around Europe. He then commanded the Cavalry Brigade at Curragh before retiring on 30 July 1902 with the rank of major-general. He was also the author of a 1902 report on the British Army Remount Department. Outside of the army he was a well-known cricketer and became president of the MCC. He was created Baron Dawnay of Danby on 24 July 1897 which gave him the right to sit in the House of Lords whereas the title Viscount Downe only applied to Ireland. He was also KCVO, CB and CIE. On 22 Nov 1912 he was appointed Colonel of the 10th Hussars until his death in 1924. In 1871 he married Lady Cecilia Molyneux sister of Colonel Caryl Craven Molyneux who had commanded the 10th Hussars from 1873 to 1876. They had 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters. One son was Major Hugh Dawnay who was killed in WW1 in Nov 1914. Major-General Dawnay died on 21 January 1924.

Regimental Details | Colonels