Casimir Cartwright van Straubenzee facts for kids

Sir Casimir Cartwright van Straubenzee (born November 11, 1867 – died March 28, 1956) was a high-ranking officer in the British Army. He was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He became a Major General and was in charge of British forces in places like Singapore and Malaya. Besides his military career, he also played cricket for Canada in 1900.

Early Life

Casimir van Straubenzee was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He was the third son of Colonel Bowen van Straubenzee. His family had roots in Yorkshire, England. He also had a famous uncle, Sir Charles van Straubenzee, who was a general and even a governor of Malta.

Military Career

Casimir van Straubenzee went to school at Trinity College School and the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC). After his studies, he joined the Royal Artillery, which is a part of the British Army.

He served in the 4th Ashanti War in Africa from 1895 to 1896. After that, he returned to Canada. He worked as a professor at the RMC from 1898 to 1903.

During the First World War, which started in 1914, he served as a lieutenant colonel. He was recognized for his bravery and received the French Croix de guerre medal. From 1917 to 1918, he was the Inspector-General of the Royal Artillery.

In 1919, he was promoted to major general. He then became the General Officer Commanding (GOC) in Singapore. This meant he was the top military leader there. Later, he became the GOC of the 46th (North Midland) Division in 1923.

In 1927, he took command of the Malaya Command. This was a group of British Commonwealth forces that protected Malaya and Singapore. He retired from the army in February 1929.

Cricket and Later Life

Beyond his military duties, van Straubenzee was a keen cricket player. He played for the Royal Engineers cricket team for many years. He even played one first-class game for the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1899. In 1900, he played cricket for Canada.

He also wrote a book called Recollections of Sportsmen and Sport in Days of Yore. In 1909, he married Ethel Purcell VanKoughnet. They lived in both London and Bath, England. Sir Casimir van Straubenzee passed away on March 28, 1956, in Lansdown, Bath, Somerset.

Legacy

Sir Casimir van Straubenzee was important enough that two portraits of him are kept in the National Gallery, London.

Interestingly, a character named Straubenzee, who makes an air-gun in the Sherlock Holmes story 'The Adventure of the Empty House', is thought to be named after Major General Casimir Cartwright Van Straubenzee.