Driscoll | Daniel Patrick | | Captain | DRISCOLL, DANIEL PATRICK, Captain, was born in Burma 11 May 1862, son of John Driscoll. He received instruction at school in Burma, but at an early age turned to Service in the Mercantile Marine. He subsequently served in the Burma Campaign, 1886-88 (Medal and clasp). Captain Driscoll served in South Africa throughout the war, 1899-1902, first as Captain of Scouting Party, attached to the 'Colonial Division', and later as Commander of Driscoll's Scouts, and, in 1901, as Column Commander (promoted to Lieutenant Colonel). He was mentioned in Despatches twice; received the Queen's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Daniel Patrick Driscoll, Captain, Driscoll's Scouts. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and presented there. Driscoll's Scouts are often mentioned in the official 'History of the War in South Africa'. In Volume II (pages 315-316) we are told that the Scouts (with three officers, 53 other ranks and 56 horses) were engaged in the defence of Wepener. On page 122 of Volume III we read that "Sir L Bundle took the Bethlehem Road with the following force: 4th Battalion and one company of the 11th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, the 2nd and 79th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, Driscoll's Scouts, 2nd Grenadier Guards, 2nd Scots Guards, 2nd East Yorkshire Regiment, and, to complete the brigade, the 2nd Royal West Kent Regiment from Boye's (17th) Brigade". On 29 May Sir L Rundle fought the action at Biddulphs Berg. On 12 and 13 July 1900, Driscoll's Scouts were still with Sir L Rundle, and engaged in the chase after de Wet, and (after the escape of de Wet) in the attack on Slabbert's Nek. On the 25th Sir L Rundle occupied Commando Nek; on the 26th, Fouriesburg, and on the 27th he engaged the enemy at Slaap Kranz. In the middle of August 1901, Driscoll's Scouts formed part of the garrison at Harrismith. Lieutenant Colonel Driscoll was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Legion of Frontiersmen. He served in the European War from 1915, in command of the 25th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, with great distinction, and his genius of resource greatly contributed to victory achieved against heavy odds on more than one momentous occasion. Lieutenant Colonel Driscoll was mentioned in Despatches four times by General Smuts; was awarded the Croix de Guerre (May 1917), and created a CMG in 1919. Having been offered a grant of Government land in British East Africa, Colonel Driscoll decided to accept it, and resigning the command of the Legion of Frontiersmen, with which World-Force he had been associated for about twelve years, he sailed for East Africa early in December 1919. Before his departure Colonel Driscoll was the recipient of many marks of esteem from the Legion as a whole, and also from separate units and individuals. Entertained at a farewell banquet a few days before his departure, Colonel Driscoll eulogized the high spirit distinguishing the Legion of Frontiersmen as a whole, and, in particular, the wonderful pluck, power of endurance, dash and bravery of those who had served throughout the campaign in East Africa, and he called upon all present to stick to the Legion as one of the finest organizations on earth.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Driscoll's Scouts |