TOPIC:

....In St Augustine of Canterbury's Church, Scaynes Hill, just over 2 miles east of Haywards Heath, is this single-light stained glass window (by Charles Eamer Kempe), commemorating the safe return from South Africa of Cecil Arthur Shaw, 7th Dragoon Guards, and Frederic Wilfrid Bagnall Willett, Royal Sussex Regiment.
.
....Willett was the eldest son of the church's vicar, Rev. Frederic Willett. I have no information on him in the ABW, other than the regiment he served in, but he saw action in the Great War as a major, and was awarded the D.S.O.; he reached the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and died in 1950. sash.org.uk/willett.php#sons
.
....It's not known what Shaw's connection was with Scaynes Hill, but his military career is well-documented.
...."SHAW, CECIL ARTHUR, Lieutenant, was born in Malaga, 10 June 1870. He entered the 7th Dragoon Guards 28 March 1900. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902. He was present at operations east of Pretoria, September to November 1900; in the Orange River Colony, August to September 1900; in the Transvaal, December 1900; in the Orange River Colony, February 1901 to May 1902; on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in October 1901. Operations in Cape Colony, December 1900 to February 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 26 July 1901]; awarded the Queen's Medal and two clasps; the King's Medal and two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 26 July 1901]: "Cecil Arthur Shaw, Lieutenant, 7th Dragoon Guards. For good service in the capture of Steyn's following at Reitz". On this occasion Broadwood, with a small British column, surprised the Boers in the town of Reitz on 11 July 1901, and captured nearly every member of Government, of the Free State except Steyn, whom, of course, they most wanted. The column was made up of 200 Yeomen, 200 of the 7th Dragoon Guards and two guns. The raiders started at 11 at night; rode hard all night, and raced into the sleeping village at dawn, seizing the startled Boers as they rushed from their houses. Steyn, however, mounted his horse and escaped half-clad out of the town. Two Boer Generals, two commandants, Steyn's brother, his secretary and several other officials were, however, captured, and the Boer Treasury was also secured. The Insignia of the Distinguished Service Order were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and there presented to Lieutenant Shaw. He had been promoted to Lieutenant 22 January 1901, and became Captain, 9th Lancers, 10 January 1906. He was employed with the South Rhodesian Volunteers from 30 October 1907. Captain Shaw was appointed Brigade Major, 1st Reserve Cavalry Brigade, and served in the European War. He married, in 1915, Sylvia, only daughter of Mr de Grasse Fox, of Philadelphia."
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)
.
...."Air Ministry . . . Stores Branch . . . Flight Lt. Cecil Artur Shaw, DSO, is placed on the retired list on account of ill health contracted in the Service, and is granted the rank of Major, 28th June 1922."
London Gazette, 22nd June, 1922
.
He died in Switzerland, in 1950.
.
.