BETHUNE, Lt Gen Sir Edward Cecil (1855-1930)

Scope and Content

Copies of 95 photographs and negatives relating to the Second Boer War, South Africa, 1899-1902, including two photograph albums, 'Snap shots by Capt E A Williams Esq' and 'Snap shots in Natal and Transvaal taken by Capt E A Williams, KDG', and photographs of the Boer President of the Transvaal Stephanus Johannes Paulus (Paul) Kruger and of Col Edward Cecil Bethune. Microfilm copies of two bound order books 'Regimental Orders, 1899-1900' and 'Brigade Orders', and microfilm copies of three scrapbooks of cuttings relating to Bethune's Mounted Infantry in South Africa, 1899-1900, including detailed accounts of specific actions.

Administrative / Biographical History

Born 1855; commissioned into the 92 Highlanders, 1875; served in Second Afghan War, 1878-1880; service in First Boer War, South Africa, 1880-1881; transferred to 6 Dragoon Guards, 1886; Maj, 16 Lancers, 1895; served in Second Boer War, South Africa, 1899-1902; raised and commanded Bethune's Horse, South Africa, 1899-1900; relief of Ladysmith, 1900; Assistant Adjutant General, Field Force, South Africa, 1900; Commanding Officer, 16 Lancers, 1900-1904; Brevet Col, 1900; Col on Staff, 1901; commanded Cavalry Bde, South Africa, 1901; appointed to General Staff and promoted to Brig Gen, 1905; awarded CB, 1905; commanded Eastern Sub-District, Cape Colony, south Africa; Maj Gen, 1908; Col, 4 (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, 1908-1920; awarded CVO, 1909; General Officer Commanding West Lancashire Div, Territorial Force, Western Command, 1909-1912; Director General, Territorial Force, 1912-1917; Lt Gen, 1913; served in World War One, 1914-1918; created KCB, 1915; retired 1920; Chairman, Metropolitan Area, Royal British Legion, 1925-1930; died 1930.

Arrangement

1 file and 2 microfilms

Access Information

Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form.

Acquisition Information

Copies made by the Centre from originals loaned by the family in 1998.

Other Finding Aids

Summary guide available on-line at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/top.htm, and in hard copy in the Centre's reading room.

Conditions Governing Use

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Trustees of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, attention of the Director of Archive Services.

Related Material

The papers of Gen Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton contain correspondence between Hamilton, Commander-in-Chief Central Force, Home Defence, and Bethune, Director General, Territorial Force, on Territorial volunteers for overseas service, Nov 1914 (Ref: Hamilton 6), and correspondence relating to Bethune's Chairmanship of Metropolitan Area, Royal British Legion, 1927-1929 (Ref: Hamilton 11/2).