| Deedes | Charles Parker | | Lieutenant | DEEDES, CHARLES PARKER, Lieutenant, was born 9 August 1879, at Nether Broughton, near Melton Mowbray, son of the Reverend Philip Deedes, of Little Parmlon, Essex, and Josephine, daughter of Joseph Parker, of Brettenham Park, Suffolk. He was educated at Winchester College, and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and joined the Yorkshire Light Infantry, as Second Lieutenant, 11 February 1899. He became Lieutenant 9 October 1899. He served in the South African War, as Adjutant, 20th Battalion Mounted Infantry, from December 1901 to 31 May 1902, taking part in operations in the Transvaal, April to December 1901, and April to 31 May 1902; operations in Orange River Colony, January to March 1902; operations in Cape Colony, March, 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Charles Parker Deedes, Lieutenant, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He became Captain 21 March, 1903, and served as Adjutant, 1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 6 April, 1905 to 5 April, 1908. Captain Deedes passed the Staff College, 1911, and was General Staff Officer, 3rd Grade, Scottish Command, 1 April 1912 to 4 May 1913; GSO, 3rd Grade, War Office, 5 May to 4 August 1914. During the European War he was GSO, 3rd Grade, at GHQ, France, 5 August 1914 to 8 February 1915; GSO, 2nd Grade, GHQ, 9 February 1915 to 2 January 1916; was promoted Major 15 September 1915; was GSO2, 14th Army Corps, British Expeditionary Force, 3 January to 3 April, 1916; GSO1, 2nd Division, British Armies in France, 14 April 1916 to 6 May 1917; GSO1, War Office (temporary), 7 May 1917 to 13 January 1918; became Temporary Brigadier General and Deputy Director of Staff Duties, War Office (temporary), 1 February 1918. He was given three Brevets: that of Major 3 June 1915; of Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1917, and of Colonel 1 January 1918. He was seven times mentioned in Despatches. Brevet Colonel Deedes was created a CMG, 1916, and a CB, 1919; was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and holds the American Distinguished Service Medal and the French Croix de Guerre. He was an excellent cricketer; besides playing in 1898 for the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and captaining the Staff College Cricket Eleven, Camberley, in 1911, he has played for Hertfordshire, and is a Member of the MCC and the Free Foresters. Captain Deedes married, 4 July 1906, at Brompton Oratory, London, Eve Mary, only daughter of Captain Stanley Dean-Pitt, CB, RN, and they had two children: Charles Julius, born 18 October 1913, and Mary Josephine, born 7 March, 1910.
KCB (m), CMG, DSO, QSA (5) CC OFS Trans SA 01 SA 02, KSA (2), 1914 Star, BWM, Victory Medal with MID, Defence Medal, 1935 Jubilee, 1937 Coronation, Distinguished Service Medal (USA), Order of the Crown (Belgium) 3rd Class, Legion dHonneur (France) 5th Class, Croix de Guerre (France).KOYLI Regimental Museum 1992.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (King's Own) Yorkshire Light Infantry |
| Deedes | William Henry | | Lieutenant Colonel | DEEDES, WILLIAM HENRY, Colonel, was born 23 February 1839, at Cadogan Place, London, son of William Henry Deedes (Civil Service, India Office), and Harriet M Deedes, daughter of the Reverend John Jeffreys. He was educated at Rugby, and was gazetted to the Rifle Brigade as Ensign on 1 May 1855. He became Lieutenant Colonel 9 August 1882, and Brevet Colonel in December 1886. He served in the Burmese Expedition in 1886-87, commanding the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. The following is an extract from the Records at Simla: "History of the Burmese War, 1885-86-87: Diary of Events. Colonel Deedes, Rifle Brigade, with a small party of riflemen and sappers, whilst reconnoitring, came upon an obstruction in a nullah. The party consisted of Lieutenant Radclyffe, seven riflemen, nine sappers (natives), and a few Burmese Police. The latter bolted, and the sappers did not join in the charge up the hill. The party lined the bank, and the sappers were sent down to clear it. Fire was opened on them from an ambush, and two sappers were killed. Colonel Deedes, while endeavouring to drag one of the sappers (mortally wounded) out of the fire, was himself severely wounded. The party then charged, and the enemy fled. A corporal was also severely wounded when charging". "From the Commander-in-Chief, Mandalay, 1 December 1886: In action near Mimba, on 30th December, Colonel W H Deedes and Corporal C Deadman, both of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, severely wounded. They are doing well". "December 15th, 1886: Colonel Deedes was wounded while carrying a wounded soldier out of fire; a Havildar of Sappers being killed at the same time". He was severely wounded; mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 2 September 1887]; received the Medal with clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 25 November 1887]: "William Henry Deedes, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, Rifle Brigade. For Operations in Burma". He retired with the rank of Major General 7 December 1887, and died at Cimiez 20 October 1915.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Brigade |
