LT.-GEN. SIR CHARLES BRIGGS
SUCCESS AS A COMMANDER
IN THE FIELD
Lieutenant-General Sir Charles James Briggs, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., died at the Manor House, Wickhambrook, yesterday.
He was a cavalryman who in the course of his distinguished career displayed exceptional ability as a commander in the field.
The son of Colonel C. J. Briggs, of Hylton Castle, Durham, he was born on October 22, 1865, and was educated privately in France and Germany before passing into Sandhurst.
He was commissioned in the 1st King's Dragoon Guards in January, 1886, and in 1892 he became extra A.D.C. to Major-General Sir Frederic Forestier-Walker, commanding the troops in Egypt.
In 1893 he was made adjutant of his regiment and later was appointed brigade adjutant of the 4th Cavalry Brigade.
On the outbreak of the South African War captain Briggs became brigade-major of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade and thus started his first experience of active service, which was to bring him considerable distinction.
He was wounded at Magersfontein, but recovered in time to be present at the operations which resulted in the relief of Kimberley.
He also saw Cronje's surrender at Paardeberg, and participated in the advance upon Pretoria, including the actions of Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, and Zand River, and also in the Battle of Diamond Hill.
His service had been as a cavalry staff officer, and in 1901 he was given command of the 1st Imperial Light Horse and later led a column until the close of hostilities in 1902.
He proved a match in skill and daring for most of his Boer opponents.
In addition to the brevets of major and of lieutenant-colonel he was mentioned twice in dispatches.
In 1903 he rejoined his regiment, but was transferred in 1904 to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons as second-in-command.
He returned to South Africa in
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1905 for three years with the Transvaal Volunteers, and helped suppress the Natel native rebellion of 1906.
After the brevet of colonel in 1906 he reached substantive rank in 1908, and following a period on half-pay was given command of the South-eastern Mounted Brigade.
He passed to the command of the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Aldershot in 1913.
When the last War broke out he took his brigade to France in the B.E.F., and during the retreat from Mons he was involved in the affair at Néry, September 1, 1914, when he managed to hold off the attack of the German 4th Cavalry Division until other troops arrived to assist him.
Later, at the battle of the Aisne on September 14, he handled his regiments with great energy and skill about Chavonne when the flank of the 2nd Division was threatened.
At Messines, too, during "First Ypres," the brigade greatly distinguished itself.
Having been promoted major-general in 1915 Briggs was given command of the 3rd Cavalry Division, which was heavily engaged at Frezenberg Ridge in the later stages of the Second Battles of Ypres.
The division also fought at Hooge in June, and did excellent service at the Battle of Loos in September.
In October, 1915, he was appointed to command the 28th Division, which he took to Egypt and thence to Salonika.
He was given the XVI Corps of the Salonika Force in May, 1916, and commanded it until the end of the War.
He was made C.B. in 1914, advanced to K.C.B. in 1917, and created K.C.M.G. in 1916.
His services were mentioned nine times in dispatches.
Promoted lieutenant-general in in January, 1919, he left the XVI Corps in February to become Chief of the Mission to South Russia.
He returned in June to the War Office, where he was on special duty until he retired in February, 1923.
From 1926 to 1939 he was Colonel of the King's Dragoon Guards.
In 1921 he married Rosamund Daphne, second daughter of Mr. C. F. Ryder, of the Hall, Thurlow, Suffolk, and had a daughter.
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