| Maurice | David Blake | | Captain | MAURICE, DAVID BLAKE, Captain, was born 24 December 1866, eldest son of Oliver Galley Maurice, JP, of London Street, Reading, and Manton Grange, Marlborough. He was educated at Uppingham, and was in the Eleven and in the Fifteen, and entered the Royal Berkshire Regiment 17 April 1889, and became Lieutenant 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment 3 February 1892. He was Adjutant, 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment, 29 December 1894 to 28 December 1898, and became Captain 23 December 1899. Captain Maurice served in South Africa, 1899-1901, employed with Mounted Infantry, and as Railway Staff Officer 17 November 1900 to 30 April 1901, and 1 May 1901 to 11 February 1902. He was present at operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including actions at Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Frederickstad (17 to 25 October); operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including actions at, Bethlehem (6 and 7 July). Wittebergen (1 to 20 July), Ladybrand (2 to 5 September), and Bothaville; operations in Orange River Colony, 30 November 1900 to 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette 27 September 1901]: "David Blake Maurice, Captain, Royal Berkshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 12 March 1902. Captain Maurice was Recruiting Officer, South African Constabulary, 8 September 1902 to 7 March 1903; Adjutant, QVB West Yorkshire Regiment, 17 March 1903 to 1 April 1906; was promoted to Major, 27 August 1908; commanded Depot, Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1908-12. He was Brigade Major, 77th Infantry Brigade, New Armies, 3 October 1914 to 22 February 1915; GS03, 2/1st North Midland Division, Central Force, Home Defence, 12 March 1915 to 16 May 1915; GSO2, Humber Garrison, 17 May 1915 to 14 July 1917; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 4 September 1916; GSO1, Humber Garrison, 15 July 1917 to 10 November 1918. Lieutenant Colonel Maurice married, in 1903, Cecilia Evelyn, eldest daughter of James Simonds, JP, of Redlands, Reading.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) Royal Berkshire Re |
