Colonel Charles Hawtrey Bruce Norcott, CMG (1849-1931) of the Rifle Brigade was a third generation officer of the Rifle Brigade who served between 1867 and 1901. During the Second Boer War he took part in the relief of Ladysmith, later being given command of the 4th Infantry Brigade of the Natal Field Force.

Charles Norcott

Born(1849-04-25)25 April 1849
Canada East
Died20 January 1931(1931-01-20) (aged 81)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
RankColonel
UnitRifle Brigade
Commands4th Infantry Brigade
Battles / warsSecond Boer War
AwardsCompanion of the Order of St Michael and St George

Early life

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Norcott was born in Canada East on 25 April 1849, the second son of Lieutenant General William Sherbrooke Ramsay Norcott and grandson of Major General Amos Godsell Robert Norcott.[1]

Military career

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Charles Norcott purchased his commission as an Ensign to the Rifle Brigade on 14 August 1867[2] and was promoted to lieutenant on 1 November 1871,[3] acting as an Adjutant between 14 June 1873[4] to 11 September 1875.[5] He was promoted to captain on 1 April 1879[6] and major on 1 January 1884.[7] From 29 November 1884 he served as an Aide-de-camp to Major General Dillon, a divisional commander of the Bengal Army.[8]

He was made lieutenant colonel on 16 December 1895.[9] and Brevetted Colonel on 16 December 1899[10]

During the Second Boer War he sailed with his regiment in command of the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade during the Relief of Ladysmith, and in February 1900 temporarily took over command of the 4th Brigade, Natal Field Force, while General Neville Lyttelton was promoted to divisional command.[11][12]

He was put on half pay on 7 March 1900,[13] and retired from the army 2 November 1901.[14]

Norcott was Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Rutland from 6 September 1916[15] to 10 August 1921.[16]

He died on 20 January 1931.

Family

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Norcott married Mary Emily Kinahan on the 14 July 1892 and they had six children. Charles' father William Norcott was also a general in the Rifles who served during the Crimean War. His grandfather Amos Norcott commanded the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade at Waterloo.[17] He also had an uncle named Charles Rossmore Robert Norcott who gained renown for his service as a superintendent of the Western Australia Police.

Notes

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  1. ^ "The history of Maunsell and other families". The Internet Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  2. ^ "No. 7772". The Edinburgh Gazette. 16 August 1867. p. 945.
  3. ^ "No. 23876". The London Gazette. 16 July 1871. p. 3203.
  4. ^ "No. 23987". The London Gazette. 13 June 1873. p. 2834.
  5. ^ "No. 24244". The London Gazette. 10 September 1875. p. 4453.
  6. ^ "No. 24715". The London Gazette. 29 April 1879. p. 3057.
  7. ^ "No. 25305". The London Gazette. 4 January 1884. p. 79.
  8. ^ "No. 25439". The London Gazette. 6 February 1885. p. 525.
  9. ^ "No. 26691". The London Gazette. 20 December 1895. p. 7369.
  10. ^ "No. 27152". The London Gazette. 9 January 1900. p. 148.
  11. ^ "The War - Natal". The Times. No. 36067. London. 16 February 1900. p. 5.
  12. ^
  13. ^ "No. 27188". The London Gazette. 1 May 1900. p. 2759.
  14. ^ "No. 27370". The London Gazette. 1 November 1901. p. 7048.
  15. ^ "No. 29750". The London Gazette. 15 September 1915. p. 9023.
  16. ^ "No. 32444". The London Gazette. 2 September 1921. p. 6945.
  17. ^ Schneider 2012

Sources

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