| McLaughlin | Hubert James | | Major | McLAUGHLIN, HUBERT JAMES, Major, was born at Plymouth on 2 December 1860, third son of Major-General E McLaughlin and Mrs McLaughlin (daughter of James Bromilow, of St Helens, Lancashire), of the Lydiates, Brimfield, and grandson of the Reverend Prebendary McLaughlin and the Honourable Frederica Cotton. He was educated at Mr Pipon's at Chester, and afterwards at Sandhurst. He obtained his commission in the 94th Foot in August 1900, and in the following year went out to join his regiment, which was so cut up at Isandhlwana that there was nothing to join, and it was merged in the Connaught Rangers. He was besieged for 70 days at Standerton, and for his services in the Transvaal Campaign of 1881 was mentioned in Despatches. He transferred to the 19th Hussars in July 1884, and took part in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85, for which he had the Medal with clasp and the Bronze Star. In May 1888, he was promoted Captain, 5th Royal Irish Lancers; reached the rank of Major in 1893, and retired in 1899. He volunteered for the South African War, 1899-1902, and was employed with the Remount Department. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, in the Reserve of Officers, 18 October 1902; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 17 June 1902], and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for showing extreme gallantry in going into Basutoland single-handed to get ponies [London Gazette, 26 June 1902]: "Hubert James McLaughlin, Major, Reserve of Officers, late 5th Lancers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the GOC, Transvaal, and presented by the GOC, South Africa, 18 May 1903. After the South African War he had the entire charge of repatriating the Boers, and a long account of his work was in the 'Times' at that time. At the time of his sudden death at Aldershot, 28 March 1915, he was Commandant, Central Remount Depot, Aldershot, and over 33,000 horses had passed through his hands. In 1915 he was offered the command of the 6th Reserve Cavalry, then at Dublin. Lieutenant Colonel McLaughlin married, in 1909, Winifred Hawthorne, only daughter of H M Hicks, of Brisbane, and left one son.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Reserve of Officers |
