Major and Brevet Lt Colonel Claude George Henry Sitwell DSO, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was killed in action in the operations on the Upper Tugela of February 23-24, 1900.
He was the son of Capt G T Sitwell, formerly of the 3rd Dragoons, was born in Oct 1858 and educated at Hailrybury. He entered the 85th Foot from the Huntingdon Militia in Sep 1878, was promoted Lieut, Jul 1881, Capt, Sep 1886, transferred to the Manchester Regt, Feb 1889, being promoted Lt Colonel 1899. He served in the Afghan War 1879-80 with the Keram Division, Yarmusht Expedition (medal).
He also served in the Egyptian War of 1882 with the 1st Batt Shropshire Light Infantry, took part in the defence of Alexandria and the occupation of Kafr Dowar and the surrender of Damietta, receiving the medal and Khedive’s Star.
Lt Col Sitwell was in East Africa from 1895-98 and was in command of the expedition against the Kitosh, Kibras and Kekelwas tribes. He also took part in the Nandi Expedition of 1895, when he was mentioned in despatches. He served in Uganda 1897-98 when he commanded the expedition against Mwanga, and he was present at the action near the Katonga River and other engagements, being mentioned in despatches, receiving the brevet of Lieutenant Colonel and the DSO.
Sadly, only three medals have survived.
His full entitlement was:
DSO (VRI
Afghan 1878 (0) (2nd Lt 85th Foot)
Egypt 1882 (0?) (Lt Shrops Lt Inf)
East & Central Africa (1) Uganda 1897-8 (Capt Uganda Rifles)
QSA (2) TH RoL (Lt Col DSO R Dub Fus)
Khedive’s Star 1882