Lord Charles Cavendish-Bentinck DSO

Charles Cavendish Cavendish-Bentinck was born on 7 Oct 1868 the son of Lieutenant-General Arthur Cavendish-Bentinck, who was a grandson of the 3rd Duke of Portland. His mother was Arthur’s second wife, Augusta, 1st Baroness Bolsover, daughter of the Very Reverend, the Honourable Henry Montague Browne, Dean of Lismore. Charles was 9 years old when his father died in 1877. Two years later his half-brother inherited the title 6th Duke of Portland from the childless 5th Duke. Charles was educated at Eton, and on 8 June 1889 was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the 9th Lancers. On 23 Jan 1891 he was promoted to lieutenant and in 1899, while his regiment was stationed in Muttra, India, he was attached to Baden-Powell’s colonial irregular Protectorate Regiment in South Africa. He was part of the defence force during the siege of Mafeking and was wounded on 24 April 1900. He was promoted to captain on 8 Nov 1900, mentioned in despatches and awarded a brevet of major on 20 Nov 1900.
In 1901 Lord Charles was appointed Adjutant of the Gloucestershire Hussars and in 1904 was Commandant of the Yeomanry School and Instructor at the Cavalry School. He retired in 1906 but when War broke out he rejoined and served on the staff of the ANZAC Division in Gallipoli. He was wounded and evacuated, then later moved to the Western Front. He was with the ANZACs at Messines and Passchendaele. He was awarded the DSO in 1916 and mentioned in Despatches three times.
Lord Charles held the office of Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. He was married on 27 Feb 1897 to Cecily Mary Grenfell and they had two children; Elizabeth (1901-1977) and Alice ( born 1904 and married Major T A A Watt in 1930). Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Charles died on 19 June 1956. The photo shows him as a lieutenant in the 9th Lancers. He has gold cord aiguillettes to signify his appointment as ADC to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland as from 6 Oct 1894.

Regimental Details | Soldiers