Hurdis Ravenshaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hurdis Ravenshaw
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|---|---|
| Born | June 1869 |
| Died | 6 June 1920 (aged 50) Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1888–1920 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Unit | East Yorkshire Regiment, Devonshire Regiment, Connaught Rangers |
| Commands held | British 83rd Brigade, British 27th Division |
| Battles/wars | Chitral expedition Malakand Tirah Campaign Second Boer War First World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George |
Hurdis Ravenshaw (born June 1869 – died June 1920) was an important officer in the British Army. He reached the rank of Major-General. He fought in several wars, including the Second Boer War and the First World War. During the First World War, he was captured by a German submarine and became a prisoner of war for two years. He passed away in South Africa in 1920.
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Early Military Career
Hurdis Ravenshaw was born in June 1869. He went to school at Haileybury and Imperial Service College. In December 1888, he joined the East Yorkshire Regiment as an officer. He wanted to see action, so in August 1890, he moved to the Devonshire Regiment.
His new regiment was sent to India. In 1895, he joined the Chitral Relief Force. This force helped to put a new ruler in charge of Chitral.
In 1897 and 1898, Ravenshaw was involved in more battles. He fought in the Malakand area. He also took part in the Tirah Campaign. Here, his army fought through the Khyber Pass against a group called the Afridis.
In December 1898, he became an adjutant for his regiment. An adjutant is an officer who helps with administrative tasks and manages the daily running of the unit. He served in this role until December 1902.
Fighting in the Second Boer War
While he was an adjutant, his regiment moved to South Africa. They went there to fight against the Boers in the Second Boer War. This war started in late 1899. Ravenshaw fought for three years. He helped in the relief of Ladysmith and many other smaller battles.
After returning home in 1902, Ravenshaw worked at Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This is a famous military academy where army officers are trained. He stayed there until 1907.
First World War Service
When the First World War began in 1914, Ravenshaw was called back to active duty. He took command of the 1st battalion of the Connaught Rangers. This was an Irish regiment based in India. He led them to France in September 1914 to fight on the Western Front.
Ravenshaw commanded the Connaught Rangers until April 1915. Then, he became a staff officer at the 1st Division headquarters. He was later promoted and given command of the 83rd Brigade. This unit fought in France during 1915. Later, they were sent to Salonica in Greece. This was part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. There, he fought against the Bulgarian Army. In October 1916, he was promoted again to command the 27th Division.
In December 1916, Ravenshaw was sailing on a troop ship called the Caledonia. He was going to meet his superiors in England. On December 4, a German submarine, U-65, sank the Caledonia in the Mediterranean Sea. Both Ravenshaw and his adjutant, Captain FHD Vickerman, were captured. They were taken to Austria-Hungary and became prisoners of war for two years.
After the War
After the war ended in 1918, Ravenshaw was released. He was then made commander of the troops in South Africa. In 1920, he traveled to Port Elizabeth in South Africa. On June 6, he was seen going into an area called Addo Bush near the city. He did not return. A search party found his body two days later. He had gotten lost and died from being exposed to the weather.
