Henry Jenner Scobell

For the former English Parliamentary official, see Henry Scobell.
Sir Henry Jenner Scobell
Nickname(s) Harry
Born (1859-01-02)January 2, 1859
Saint George, Hanover Square, England
Died February 2, 1912(1912-02-02) (aged 53)
Rondebosch, Cape Province
Allegiance United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1879 - 1912
Rank Major-General
Unit Scots Greys
Commands held OC 5th Royal Irish Lancers
2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys)
GOC, Cape of Good Hope District
Battles/wars Battle of Groenkloof
Awards KCVO, CB, Queen's Medal (six clasps), King's Medal (two clasps)
Relations Harriet Mildred Willes-Johnston (wife)

Major-General Sir Henry Jenner "Harry" Scobell, KCVO, CB (2 January 1859 – 1 February 1912) was a British military leader who served as the last officer in command of Cape Colony before the formation of the Union of South Africa.[1]

Life and career

Education and early service with the Scots Greys

Scobell was born in Hanover Square. After attending Eton College, rather than attend Sandhurst, Scobell obtained a commission as a second lieutenant in the Worcester Militia in 1878.[2] In 1879, he obtained a transfer from the militia, joining the 2nd Dragoons (RoyalScots Greys).[3]

Over the next ten years, saw little active service, but Scobell achieved promotion to captain by 1886.[4] In 1889, he was seconded from the Scots Greys to serve as the adjutant of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry.[5] In 1896, Scobell would be promoted to major in the Scots Greys.[4]

With the Scots Greys in South Africa

In 1899, Scobell deployed with his regiment to South Africa to fight in the Boer War. At the start of the war, Major Scobell commanded C Squadron. Initially, the regiment patrolled the area between the Orange and Modder rivers.[6] With the start of Lord Roberts' offensive against the Boer Republics, Scobell saw his first action at the Battle of Paardeberg before participating in the relief of Kimberly.

Following the battle of Paarderberg, Scobell's squadron captured a strategic hill east of Bloemfontein. With 65 men, Scobell rode 35 miles, forcing his way past the Boer commandos defending the rail line in order seize the heights. Through the night, Scobbel's men held the hill despite being outnumbered by Boer commandos.

Scobell's squadron was left at Utival (also known as Zilikats Nek). There they were eventually joined by five companies from the 2nd battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment, with a section of guns from O Battery, RHA.[7] While Scobell had kept a strong picket line out to watch for Boer commandos, this was changed when he was superseded as the commander of the garrison. With the Scots Greys came under the command of an infantry colonel, the picket outposts were decreased.[8] This allowed when the outpost was attacked by a force of Boer commandos on 10 July 1900. Most of the squadron was captured during the disaster which ensued. The defeat allowed the Boers to hold Zilikats Nek. Scobell was able to escape with part of his command, having to shoot their way through the Boer commandos[9]

After nearly dying in the battle at Zilikat's Nek in the Magaliesberg, he captured Barberton. A review of the action at Zilikats's Nek exonerated Scobell and he was given the local rank of lieutenant-colonel on 1 December 1900 and placed in command of the 1st Regiment, Brabant Horse.[10] On 27 July 1901, Scobell was ordered to assume command of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers.[11]

As part of the British effort to defeat the Boer insurgency, General French appointed Scobell to command a column of cavalry. Scobell's command including detachments from the 9th Lancers and the Cape Mounted Rifles.[12] One of the most effective commandos operating in the Cape Province was the band commanded by Commandant Lotter. In the midst of a six day mission, Scobell received information that Lotter's commando was laagered near the town of Petersburg in a gorge called Groenkloof.[12] Quickly acting on the new intelligence, Scobell's column surprised Lotter's commando at the Battle of Groenkloof on 5 September 1901. In exchange for 10 dead troopers, Scobell's column killed 13, wounded 46 and captured the rest of Lotter's command, effectively destroying one of the most successful Boer units operating in the Cape.[12] In recognition of his success, Scobell was granted the brevet rank of Colonel.[13]

For his service in the war, Scobell received the Queen's South Africa Medal (with six clasps), the King's South Africa Medal (with two clasps), and was mentioned in despatches several times (31 March 1900[14]).

Post-war service

With the end of the war approaching, Scobell returned to London on board the steamer Plassy in February 1902,[15] and was received in audience by King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace the following May.[16] His brevet rank was confirmed and he was transferred back to his old regiment, the Scots Greys, as its commander on 2 August 1902.[17] He became a Major-General in 1903 and inspector of cavalry in 1907. From 1909 he commanded the British garrison in South Africa. His final posting was as General Officer Commanding Cape District, the position he held until 1911.[11] He died in Rondebosch.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Colby, Frank Moore (ed.) (1913). New International Yearbook: A Compendium of the World's Progress. Dodd, Mead and Company
  2. ↑ "Promotions and Appointments" in, The United Service Magazine, Volume 147, p. 534, retrieved on 2009-10-28.
  3. ↑ London Gazette, 30 May 1879, p. 3862.
  4. 1 2 Hart's Annual Army list, Militia list, and Imperial Yeomanry List for 1898, (London: John Murray, Albermarle Street, 1898) p. 68.
  5. ↑ London Gazette, London Gazette 1 November 1889, p. 5778.
  6. ↑ Anglo Boer War: 2nd (Royal Scots Greys) Dragoons retrieved on 2009-10-25.
  7. ↑ Anglo Boer War: Lincoln Regt. retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  8. ↑ Sir John Frederick Maurice, Maurice Harold Grant, History of the war in South Africa, 1899-1902, Volume 3 (London: Hurst and Blackett limited, 1908), pp. 238–239.
  9. ↑ Battle of Zilikats Nek retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  10. ↑ London Gazette, 19 February 1901, Issue No. 27286, p. 1234.
  11. 1 2 Ciaran Byrne, The Harp and Crown, the History of the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, 1902 - 1922, (Lulu Books, 2008) p. 21.
  12. 1 2 3 H.W. Kinsey, "The Capture of Lotter's Commando", in Military History Journal, Vol 1 No 5, retrieved 2009-10-28.
  13. ↑ "Promotion of Colonel Scobell" The Times (London). Thursday, 12 September 1901. (36558), p. 8.
  14. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27282. p. 846. 8 February 1901.
  15. ↑ "The War - return of troops" The Times (London). Friday, 31 January 1902. (36679), p. 6.
  16. ↑ "Court Circular intelligence" The Times (London). Tuesday, 13 May 1902. (36766), p. 9.
  17. ↑ London Gazette, No. 27460, 1 August 1902, p. 4963.
  18. ↑ Uys, Ian S. (1992). South African Military Whoʼs Who, 1452-1992. Fortress Publishers, ISBN 978-0-9583173-3-7
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