Cuthbert Murchison Fetherstonhaugh (1879 - 1961)

Born 10 Feb 1879 in Saint Leonards, New South Wales (Australia)

Ancestors

Husband of Victoria E Shaw (Lyne) Fetherstonhaugh — married 1912 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Died 20 Sep 1961 at age 82 in Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Cuthbert Murchison Fetherstonhaugh was born on 10th February 1879 at St Leonards, New South Wales (Australia). He was the older son of Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh and Flora Murchison.

Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1900-1902
2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion

From 1900 to 1901, Cuthbert served with the 1st Battalion, New South Wales Mounted Rifles (NSWMR) in the Second Boer War in South Africa; attaining the rank of Lance Corporal. After returning home he completed a second deployment with the 3rd Battalion NSWMR, during which time he was commissioned as a Lieutenant. For his service, he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with Dreifontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen and Cape Colony clasps, and the King's South Africa Medal with SA 1901 asnd SA 1902 clasps. ^[1]

Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh is an Anzac who served in World War One.

On 4th May 1915, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Australian Imperial Force for service overseas during the First World War, being allocated to the 12th Light Horse Regiment. The regiment sailed from Australia in June and was deployed, without their horses, to Gallipoli in August. Returning to its mounted role after the evacuation, and being promoted to Captain, the 12th Light Horse joined the forces defending the Suez Canal before advancing into the Sinai Desert and Israel. The 12th and it's sister regiment, the 4th, were unleashed on Beersheba at the gallop on 31st October 1917 - an action which has gone down in history as the charge of Beersheba. Having been promoted to Major, Cuthbert commanded B Squadron during the charge. During the charge, his horse was hit by bullets. Dismounting, he shot his beloved Waler and then charged the Turkish defenders with his pistol. He killed four before being shot in both legs. For his action, he was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Mentioned in Despatches. Cuthbert returned to Australia 20th January 1919. ^[3] Following the war he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Victoria died in 1939.

Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army Volunteer Defence Corps 1942-1945
commandant E Group

On 26th March 1942, at Australia's most perilous state in the Second World War and aged 63 years, Cuthbert was once more called upon for his country's defence, being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed commandant of E Group, Volunteer Defence Corps. ^[4] His appointment was extended from November 1943 to February 1944. His sister was listed as next-of-kin. ^[5]

He passed away, aged 82 years, on 20th September 1961 at Chatswood, New South Wales. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: 478 Lance Corporal Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh; accessed 20 Jan 2021
2. ↑ New South Wales Marriage Index #4071/1912
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: Major Cuthbert Murchison Fetherstonhaugh; accessed 20 Jan 2021
4. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: N353347 Lieutenant Colonel Cuthbert Murchison Fetherstonhaugh; accessed 20 Jan 2021
5. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: N472406 Lieutenant Colonel Cuthbert Murchison Fetherstonhaugh; accessed 20 Jan 2021
6. ↑ New South Wales Death Index #24288/1961