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The Soldiers |
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Major. C. Dewhurst |
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Cyril
Dewhurst was one of several children, born to George Bakewell, and
Frances A.L. Dewhurst, a cotton manufacturer of Manchester. His
siblings were Ethel Ada, Gerard Powys, Harriett, Ralph and Harry. In
1881, the Dewhurst family moved to Oughtrington House, Lymm in Cheshire. The
Dewhurst family were prolific equestrians, because on the 15th
September 1910 Cyril Dewhurst was commissioned, as a Major, into the
Territorial battalion of the Lancashire Hussars (Yeomanry). His brother
Gerard Powys, was commissioned, as a Captain/Adjutant, on the
19/11/1914, into the Cheshire Yeomanry, whilst another brother Harry was
commissioned into Army Remounts as a Major on February 3rd 1915. At
the Outbreak of War, Major Dewhurst was living at Tilstone Lodge,
Tarporley, Cheshire.and was Head of the firm of Messrs G&R Dewhurst,
Cotton Manufacturers, Manchester, He was also a leading member of the
Tarporley hunt Club. (This he continued until his death in 1941) On
the 24th April 1916, Major Cyril Dewhurst was attached to the
“Leeds Pals”, from the Lancashire Hussars, as 2ND in
command, to replace Major Eric C Norman, who was “dismissed from
service”. On
the 20th May 1916, the then Commanding Officer of the
“Pals”, Lt Colonel Stuart Campbell Taylor was wounded, and Major
Cyril Dewhurst, with the “temporary” rank of Lt Colonel, took over
command of the battalion on the 24th of May 1916. On
the 3rd June 1916 (t) Lt Colonel C Dewhurst was wounded by
the same shell that killed Captain De-Pledge. “ Major Dewhurst Who is in temporary command of one of the battalions of the West Yorkshire Regiment has been slightly wounded by An enemy shell which burst in the trenches, killing Captain De-Pledge, and wounding Major Dewhurst” Major
Dewhurst survived his wounds, but could not continue service abroad,
although continued to serve, as was a Major in the N&A canteen
brigade, of the Lancashire Hussars. When
war was over, Major Dewhurst was living at Overdale, Sandiway, Cheshire,
where he not only continued his equestrian connection, but also Golf,
Dancing and playing bridge. He
was the owner of the Racehorse “Conjuror II”, which his son Cyril
Peter Dewhurst rode to victory in the 1921 “Tarporley Hunt Cup” In
the following year, his son rode “Conjuror 11”, in the Grand
National, coming a creditable 3rd. Major
Dewhurst tried his luck a second time in 1924 again his son riding
“Conjuror 11”, but although being favourite, it fell at Beechers
Brook. Major
Cyril Dewhurst died in 1941 at the age of 67. |
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