Charles | James Ronald Edmondston | | Lieutenant | CHARLES, JAMES RONALD EDMONDSTON, Lieutenant, was born 26 June, 1875, son of T Edmondston Charles, MD, Honourable Physician to His Majesty the King. He entered the Royal Engineers 17 August 1894, becoming Lieutenant 17 August 1897. He served in the South African War, 1899-1900, and was present at the Relief of Kimberley, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February); actions at. Poplar Grove, Driefontein and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900, including actions at Colesberg (January to February). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 Sept, 1901]; "James Ronald Edmondston Charles, Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in India, and were presented by Colonel Des Voeux in India 5 April, 1902. He became Captain 1 April 1901. Captain Charles served on the North-West Frontier of India in 1908, taking part in operations in the Zakku Khel country; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 22 May 1908]; also in operations in the Mohmand country; was mentioned in Despatches 14 August 1908, and given the Brevet of Major 16 July 1908. He was GSO2, Headquarters, India, 26 November 1910 to 29 Sept, 1914; served in the European War, 1914-18; was promoted to Major 17 August 1914; was GSO1 Lahore Division, BEF, 28 May to 31 July 1915; Brigadier General, General Staff, Indian Army Corps, BEF, 1 August to 8 December 1915; Brigadier General, General Staff, 15th Army Corps, British Expeditionary Force, 17th Army Corps, British Armies in France, 9 December 1915 to 15 July 1918; Divisional Commander, 25th Division, British Armies in France, 4 August 1918 to 5 March, 1919; Brigadier General, General Staff, Stall College, 6 March 1919. He was mentioned in Despatches five times; was created a CB in 1918, and a CMG in 1919, and was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour by the French. He was given the Brevets of Lieutenant Colonel 18 February 1915, and Colonel 3 June, 1916. Major E M S Charles, CMG, DSO, was Colonel Charles's brother.
KCB (m), CMG, DSO, QSA (4) RofK Paard Drief Joh (Lt DSO RE), IGS 1908 (2) NWF 1908 Waziristan 1921-24 (…DSO RE), 1914 Star and Bar, BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Maj-Gen), 1911 Coronation, 1935 Jubilee, 1937 Coronation, Legion d'Honneur. RE Museum 1992.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Engineers |