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William Vesey Brownlow was born on 12 June 1841. He was the son of William Brownlow and Charlotte Browne. His paternal grandmother was Lady Catherine Brabazon, daughter of the Earl of Meath. William was commissioned as a cornet on 29 April 1859. With the rank of captain he served in the Zulu War of 1879 in which campaign he was orderly officer to Colonel Drury Lowe who commanded the cavalry at the battle of Ulundi, Captain Brownlow was mentioned in despatches for his part in the battle. He also commanded a squadron of King’s Dragoon Guards in Baker Russell’s flying column. He was made brevet-major for this.
He served as a major in the First Boer War of 1880. In September 1880 the regiment was ordered to India, leaving two Troops behind in South Africa. Major Brownlow was put in charge of these Troops and the intention was for them to proceed to England to form a depot. However, these Troops were combined with other mounted men and formed a squadron in Major-General Colley’s force which went to relieve garrisons at Heidelburg. When they approached Majuba Hill they encountered a Boer position at Laing’s Nek on 28 Jan. Brownlow’s squadron was to seize an undefended spur which ran out from the Nek. Meanwhile the 58th Regiment advanced with Colours flying. The squadron’s attack went wrong and Brownlow, whose horse was shot, was fighting manfully on foot. He was in danger of being killed by the Boers but his servant, Private Doogan rode to his aid and insisted on Major Brownlow taking his horse. Doogan was already wounded, and was wounded again during the incident. For his action Private John Doogan was awarded the VC. Another action at Ingogo River ended in failure. For this service he was made brevet of lieutenant-colonel. In May 1882, with the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel he became assistant commandant and superintendent at the Riding Establishment Cavalry Depot. From 1889 he was put in command of the 22nd Cheshire Regimental District which lasted until 1894. He was appointed Colonel of his old regiment, the KDG, on 13 June 1908. He was married to Lady Anne Henrietta Dalrymple, daughter of the 10th Earl of Stair. She died in February 1898, and in June 1904 he married again, to Lady Kathleen Susan Emma Bligh, daughter of the 6th Earl of Darnley. There were no children from the marriages. Major-General Brownlow died on 15 March 1928. William Brownlow’s progress in the King’s Dragoon Guards was as follows:
1859 Cornet. 29 April |
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