View entry
Name: CAPELL, Algernon Essex CBE, DSO (Col.)
Nee: a member of the Earl of Essex family of Capell
Birth Date: 1.11.1869 Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton
Death Date: 23.2.1952 Salisbury, Rhodesia
First Date: 1906
Last Date: 1910?
Profession: Commander of the EA Unit of the 'Legion of Frontiersmen' in 1909, relinquished command in June 1910
Married: In Caernarvonshire 3.3.1903 Lois Ethel Slatter b.1877 Daglingworth, Glos., d. 22.4.1944 Bulawayo
Children: Algernon Arthur de Vere (7.12.1903 Barberton, S. Africa-1950); Robert Devereux (Dagoretti 11.1.1909-1936); Joan Lois (22.7.1905 Johannesburg-1986)
Book Reference: Gillett, HBEA, Debrett, Advertiser, DSO, Web
War Service: 9 years in Cape Mounted Rifles
School: Felsted School
General Information:
Debrett - served in SA 1899-1900 with Bethune's Mounted Inf., present at battles of Colenso, Spion Kop, and Vaal Kranz, at relief of Ladysmith and at action of Scheepers Nek (taken prisoner, despatches, Queen's Medal with 4 clasps, King's medal with 2 clasps, DSO) and in BEA 1915-16 (Croix de Guerre); has been Major Comdg. SA Constabulary, Lieut.-Col. Comdg. a Rhodesian Regt. a MLC, Ch. of Police Grenada, and Commr. British SA Police, S. Rhodesia; DSO 1900, CBE (Civil) 1924
Advertiser - 29/1/1909 - Major Capel [sic] of Dagoretti was severely wounded lately when after a rhino. The brute turned on his pursuers and as Major Capel was getting from behind a tree to put in another shot one of his boys carrying a spear at the trail dashed past him in a fright, the spear piercing the right side of his chest. Under doctor's care the wound is healing satisfactorily.
Advertiser - 9/7/1909 - Legion of Frontiersmen - Major Capel - Acting Commandant DSO - He joined the Cape Mounted Rifles as atrooper in 1889, and remained in the Corps till 1899, when he joined Bethune's Mounted Infantry as Lieutenant, having served through Pondoland at the annexation. He served in the South African War 1899-1902, and was promoted to Captain in 1900, and was promoted to Major in 1902; was mentioned in Despatches (twice by General Buller and once each by Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener), and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 19/4/1901) - "Algernon Essex Capell, Capt. Bethune's Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa." The Insignia etc were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and presented by the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 Aug 1901. Major Capell was "ejected from the SAC by the Boer Government of 1908". He was appointed Asst. District Commissioner, Dagoretti, BEA; Chief of Police, Grenada 1910-12 (awarded King's Police Medal), and Asst. Commissioner, British South African Police, in Southern Rhodesia, since 1913. He served in the European War from 1914; commanded a column to German South-West Africa; captured Schuckmansburg, the capital of Caprivi Zippel strip of German territory; given command in Dec 1914, of the 2nd Rhodesian Regt. with the rank of Lieut.-Col.; was mentioned in Despatches by General Smuts, and received the Croix de Guerre. Major Capell has "devoted most of his life to big game and other shooting when on leave."