Major Charles Harold Longfield BEATTY, D.S.O.
Aged 47
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Born 16th January,1870 in Wybunbury, Cheshire [Liverpool 8b:105] to Capt David Longfield and Catherina Edith BEATTY (née CHAINE) of Stapeley. One of his
brothers (David) was Admiral of the Fleet, Earl BEATTY. 1871 census... Charles [1] was at Howback Villa, Stapeley with his parents David [29] born Wexford, Ireland,(retired from Army) and Edith Katherine [26] born Tipperary, Ireland and his brother David R [2 months] born Wybunbury. 1881 census... Charles was, with his brother David, a scholar at St Thomas' College, Rhuddlan, Wales. and was further educated at Cheltenham and Trinity College, Oxford 1891 census...He was a Lieutanant in the 4th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, at home at 14 Church Street, Rugby with his parents, sister Kathleen R [15] born Malpas, and brother George R [9] also born in Malpas. From 1892 -1898 he was busy riding steeplechasers, coming 2nd in the 1897 Grand National on Filbert. Giving up riding he started as assistant trainer in Newmarket, with the horses of Colonel McCAlmont. 1901 census...He was serving in South Africa. His mother had died in 1896 and father re-married in 1900 in London to Anita Georgina STUDDY [29] born Paignton, Devon. There was now a half brother Harry Longfield Beatty aged 1 month. Parents and brother Harry were living at Bilton Park, Rugby. In 1901 he returned to England and on the death of Colonel McCalmont took on the lease of the stables and trained for Lord Howard de Walden In 1905 he married in Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, Lucy Alice LANGLANDS (nee BECK)[36] the widow of Major J S Langlands. 1911 census...Charles was a racehorse trainer, with his wife, at Bedford House, Bury Road, Newmarket. Their son, Charles Robert Longfield, born 24 October 1910 was not there.
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His DSO was awarded in 1901 for service in the South African War with the Mounted Infantry. Much of what follows was taken from http://www.angloboerwar.com/DSO/b/beatty_chl Lord Kitchener's Despatch of 8.7.1901 gives bare details of Beatty's gallantry: ' At Evergreen, Eastern Transvaal, on 17th February, when Major Howard and orderly were killed, went back to fetch assistance through very close and heavy fire ; his horse was killed, hit three times' (London Gazette 20.8.1901). The original Recommendation by Brigadier-General E.A.H. Alderson provides the context of his bravery: 'Referring to the recommendation I submitted to you on 18th May 1901, I should have added to those the name of Captain C H L Beatty 6th Bn. R. Warwick Regt., had I not understood, from a conversation I had with the Lieut. General Commanding, that his name had already been forwarded in connection with my report on the death of the late Major A L Howard, commanding the Canadian Scouts. In accordance with the attached telegram I now submit Captain Beatty's name as having behaved very gallantly on the occasion of Major Howard's death. It was at Evergreen on the 17th Feb., that Major Howard, his orderly, and a native scout, were suddenly fired at by Boers and had to take shelter behind some wagons. Captain Beatty had just taken an order from me to Major Howard and was then with him. The wagons were situated somewhat as shown in the rough sketch below, the Boers being in the high kopje almost within a stones throw. After a few minutes Major Howard asked Captain Beatty if he would go and try and obtain assistance. Captain Beatty made an attempt, but the fire was too heavy and he had to return to the shelter of the wagons. He presently made another attempt and, though his horse was hit in 3 places and killed and he himself was subject to a very heavy fire as he went up the slope, he got safely away and reached the rest of Major Howard's men. By the time, however, that the latter reached the vicinity of the wagons Major Howard and his orderly had both been killed and the native dangerously wounded by the Boers, under the circumstances already reported by me.' The circumstances reported were that Major Howard and his Orderly had surrendered to the Boers, being disarmed, and then shot in cold blood. Beatty was invested by the King in England on 29.10.1901. He served for two years in South Africa in the Mounted Infantry and as General Alderson's ADC. As well as receiving the DSO and the Mention in Despatches detailed above he had been mentioned previously by Lord Roberts in his Despatch dated 29.10.1900 (London Gazette 10.9.1901). Major Beatty served in the European War from 1914—15, as ADC to General Sir Edwin Alderson, while commanding the Canadian Expeditionary Force; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, June, 1915]; while serving with Mounted Infantry was severely wounded at, St Eloi, April, 1916 (left arm amputated), and died of wounds 17 May 1917. His wound caused the King's Private Secretary to write to General Alderson: ' My dear General, The King was indeed distressed to hear that Beatty had been wounded, and had to lose his left arm. His Majesty noticed his name in the Casualty List two days ago, and instructed me to enquire about his wound. We were unable to get any information about him yesterday, and your letter has arrived most opportunely. The King knows that he will be a great loss to you, and His Majesty was only yesterday recalling the incident when he cantered alongside the King's motor on a very handsome horse. Should you see Beatty, will you please tell him from the King how truly His Majesty sympathises with him on his misfortune. Would you also let me know to what hospital in England he may be sent, as I am sure His Majesty will take an early opportunity of visiting him. ....Yours sincerely,.....Charles Wigram'. Major Beatty died at Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square London undergoing an operation after aggravating the injury falling from a horse, and was buried at Atherstone with full military honours. The band of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, to which Major Beatty was attached, attended. A memorial service was held at St Agnes's Church, Newmarket, at the same time as the funeral at Atherstone. |
