Percy FitzGerald

Percy Desmond FitzGerald DSO
Born	18 April 1873 St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia
Died	17 August 1933 Marylebone, London, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Brigadier-General
Unit	Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars
Commands held	5th Mounted Brigade
Awards	Distinguished Service Order Legion of Honour

Percy Desmond FitzGerald DSO (1873-1933) was a cavalry officer and brigadier-general in the British Army. He was also a sportsman playing Polo and Cricket at competition levels.

Born in Australia he moved to Great Britain and joined the army, initially serving in the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), and then the 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars. The highlight of his military career was as commander of the 5th Mounted Brigade during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.

Civilian life

Percy Desmond FitzGerald was born 18 April 1873 in St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The son of Nicholas FitzGerald and Marianne née O'Shanassy.^[1] His father was member of the Australian Parliament of Victoria, having moved there in 1859 and established the Castlemain brewery.^[2]

FitzGerald was educated at St Mary's College, Oscott, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire.^[1] Becoming a first class cricketer with the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1897, and a Polo player competing several times for the Roehampton Trophy.^[3]

In October 1914, during the First World War he married Lady Millicent Fanny St. Clair-Erskine, the daughter of Robert St Clair-Erskine, 4th Earl of Rosslyn and Blanche Adeliza Fitzroy. The marriage was without issue and was annulled in 1919. FitzGerald died in Marylebone, London, England, 17 August 1933.^[1]

Military career

FitGerald's military career began with the Victorian local military force, but in December 1893, became a second-lieutenant in the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment).^[4] While still a second-lieutenant he transferred from the Buffs to the 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars in January 1894.^[5] He saw service in the Second Boer War, being mentioned in dispatches four times and awarded a Distinguished Service Order in 1901.^[6][1] His Queen's South Africa Medal had four clasps, Belfast, Orange Free State, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek.^[7] Following the war, in December 1903, FitGerald became the Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier-General Michael Rimington commanding the 3rd Cavalry Brigade.^[8] Then in January 1905, he was promoted to captain.^[9] By 1913, FitzGerald had been promoted to major and was holding the position of a Brigade Major, Staff Officer at the War Office.^[10]

At the start of the First World War he was Grade 2, General Staff officer,^[11] He eventually became a brevet lieutenant-colonel and temporary brigadier-general, commanding the 5th Mounted Brigade in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.^[12] During the war he was again mentioned in dispatches, and awarded the French Legion d'Honneur and he retired from the army in 1920.^[1]

References

1. "Brig.-Gen. Percy Desmond FitzGerald". The Peerage. Lundy Consulting Ltd. 30 January 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
2. "Fitzgerald, Nicholas". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
3. "Percy Fitzgerald". ESPN. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
4. The London Gazette: no. 26469. p. 7459. 22 December 1893. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
5. The London Gazette: no. 26478. p. 440. 23 January 1894. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
6. The London Gazette: no. 27306. p. 2699. 19 April 1901. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
7. "The Queen's South Africa Medal to the 11th Hussars". North-east medals. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
8. The London Gazette: no. 27660. p. 1874. 22 March 1904. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
9. The London Gazette: no. 27750. p. 26. 3 January 1905. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
10. The London Gazette: no. 28713. p. 2978. 25 April 1913. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
11. The London Gazette: no. 28920. p. 7771. 29 September 1914. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
12. The London Gazette: no. 30952. p. 12107. 11 October 1918. Retrieved 19 September 2013.