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Lancashire Fusiliers, Sherwood Foresters, RMC, War
Office
The Moustachioed Imperial Hero known as Owen Cadogan Wolley Dod was born
on May 2nd 1863, he was the sixth son of Reverend Charles Wolley Dod and
Frances Lucy (nee Parker), of Edge Hall, Malpas, Cheshire. He was educated
at Eton, Sandhurst and was a graduate of the Staff College, 1899. He was
also Fluent in French and Hindi, both of which would be very useful to
him during his long career.
Enlistment and service in India 1885-1898
In November 1883 he would marry Selina Augusta Marriot and join the freshly
renamed 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers as a Lieutenant the same month.
This regiment was previously known as the 20th (East Devonshire) Regiment
of Foot, among other names an had a long and illustrious combat history.
He would travel to Poona, India on December 7th 1885 with his new bride
and the Regiment. He was made Adjutant of 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers from
15 March 1892 to 14 March 1896, and was Promoted to Captain in 1892 shortly
after assuming his new post. Owen and Selina would have one Daughter named
Vera born October 10th 1890 in England, Sadly his wife would die in Poona
on August 29th 1892, its unclear of what but likely a tropical disease.
He would do 4 tours in India between 1885 and 1898.
War in the Sudan 1898
As the new Century grew closer to an end he would find himself marching
with Lord Kitchener’s army in the Sudan to take the city of Omdurman.
In doing so they would avenge the Death of General Gordon, which occured
just a few years earlier across the river in Khartoum.
Captain Wolley-Dod would depart Cairo on August 9th in Command of A Company,
2nd Battalion. The 2nd Lancashire landed in the Sudan around the 21st
of August after a journey up river in steam gunboats, the boats could
carry 140 men and going was slow.
One amusing thing happened during the night of August 27th, The Battalion
was encamped surrounded by a makeshift Zariba of bushes when an Arab came
charging wildy through the lines shouting "Allah, Allah ". Captain
Wolley Dod springing into action ordered his men to hold their fire, likely
this was just the scout or vanguard of a larger force. However as it happened,
the mad bastard was totally alone and having used up his one and only
spear he nimbly disappeared unhurt into the brush and the history books.
The Lancashire Fusilers would then march on and take part in the famous
Battle of Omdurman, For services rendered in the expedition he was mentioned
in despatches.
Occupation of Crete 1898
After the successful completion of that campaign and the Massacre of the
Mahdist army at the Battle of Omdurman on September 2nd he would take
part in the Cretan Intervention, Landing there with some 2,000 other British
troops on October 11th 1898. After a year in Malta and Crete they departed
for the Boer War.
The Boer War 1899-1902
Wolley Dod and the 2nd Battalion arrived at Cape Town on the 19th of December
1899 transferring to Durban to serve as part of the 11th Brigade under
Major General Woodgate. From here Wolley Dod and his men would fight at
the famous Battle of Spion Kop on January 23rd 1900, where they suffered
247 killed and 1250 wounded, among them Wolley Dod.
Sir Charles Warren said in Despatches, referring to the fight at Venter's
Spruit on 20-21 January 1900: "Lancashire Fusiliers ... Captain O
C Wolley-Dod, though severely wounded, remained in action, and led his
company into action the next day" For his service that day he was
made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, the Insignia were
presented by King Edward VII himself on June 3rd 1901, shortly thereafter
he was also promoted to Major.
They fought the Boers again in Early February 1900 at The Battle of Vaalkrantz,
then the regiment was sent to Garrison Frere from 12th to 26th February
1900, followed by Chieveley and Colenso until 8th March 1900 when they
were sent to Pietermaritzburg. Captain Wolley-Dod was again Mentioned
in Despatches for service rendered during the previous month. The regiment
left Cape Town for England on the SS Britannic in October 1902.
The Regiment returned to Aldershot where Wolley Dod was appointed a Brigade
Major from May 24th 1902 to September 26th 1904. For the remaining period
of the 1910s leading up to WW1 he would serve in various staff posts.
Serving as the Second-in-Command, Sherwood Foresters from 24 August 1904;
promoted Lieutenant Colonel February 11th 1908, and Colonel October 4th
1911; Second-in-Command, Royal Military College, Sandhurst, May 3rd 1912
to January 31st 1914; General Staff Officer First Grade, 5th Division,
Curragh, Ireland, 1 February 1914.
A Break from War 1902-1914
The Regiment returned to Aldershot where Wolley Dod was appointed a Brigade
Major from May 24th 1902 to September 26th 1904. For the remaining period
of the 1910s leading up to WW1 he would serve in various staff posts.
Serving as the Second-in-Command, Sherwood Foresters from 24 August 1904;
promoted Lieutenant Colonel February 11th 1908, and Colonel October 4th
1911; Second-in-Command, Royal Military College, Sandhurst, May 3rd 1912
to January 31st 1914; General Staff Officer First Grade, 5th Division,
Curragh, Ireland, 1 February 1914.
The Great War 1914-1918
During WW1 he served as Assistant Quartermaster General, Irish Command,
from August 5th 1914. Then he was a General Staff Officer First Grade
at the War Office, from September 16th 1914 to January 19th 1915. His
first taste of the Great War in earnest would come while serving as General
Staff Officer First Grade, 29th Division, from January 20th 1915 to June
4th 1915.
He also commanded the 86th Brigade, 29th Division, from 5 June 1915 to
17 August 1915. On August 13th 1915 he was invalided home after becoming
sick likely with the nightmarish hell that was dysentery, this is an infection
of the intestines that results in blood and mucus forming in severe diarrhoea
and often death. 49% of all Allied Casualties at Gallipoli were from this
disease. Sir Ian Hamilton said of the April 25th 1915 Landings at Gallipoli
"W Beach. — Brigadier General Hare had been wounded earlier
in the day, and Colonel Wolley-Dod, General Staff, 29th Division, was
sent on shore to take command at 'W' Beach and organize a further advance".
He was also instrumental in ensuring all 6 men got their VC’s that
day before breakfast, and was twice Mentioned in Despatches. He was made
a Companion of the Order of the Bath on June 2nd 1915 for his actions
there.
Following a period of rest and recuperation he was appointed an Inspector
of Territorial Forces December 27th 1915 and did some tours of India inspecting
regiments, he was again appointed a Brigade Commander on November 25th
1917 but as of yet I haven’t been able to find which Brigade.
Retirement
Owen Cadogan Wolley-Dod retired Jan 1st 1920 honorary Brigadier General,
he had served all over the Empire for 37 years and died on February 1st
1942 at the age of 79. In his personal life he enjoyed playing Cricket
and Golf as well as Hunting, Shooting and Fishing.
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