Arthur.—Sir George Compton Archibald Arthur, 3rd Battalion Herts Yeomanry Cavalry; Lieutenant, 2nd Life Guards, 1880-86. War Service—Egyptian Campaign, 1882; Nile Expedition, 1885. Born 1860.
MAJOR-GENERAL BARTON, C.B.
Photo, Debenham & Smith, Southampton
Ava (Earl of).—Archibald James Leofric Temple Blackwood (late 17th Lancers), son of 1st Marquis of Dufferin and Ava. For career, see vol iii. p. 90.
Babington.—Major-General J. M. Babington. Entered 1873; Colonel, 1896. Staff Service—A.A.G., Punjab, 1896-99. War Service—Bechuanaland Expedition, 1884-85 (Despatches); S. African War, 1899-1901; A.A.G., afterwards Commanding 1st Cavalry Brigade.
Babtie.—Major W. Babtie, V.C., C.M.G., R.A.M.C. (See Recipients of the V.C.) Entered 1881. This notable medical officer, the first of the Scottish heroes to earn the V.C. in South Africa, was born in 1859, and is the son of Mr. J. Babtie, J.P., of Dumbarton. He served with distinction in India, Malta, and Crete, and was decorated for services rendered during the international occupation of that island. His action at Colenso is described elsewhere.
Bacon.—Maj. W. Bacon. This officer rendered notable service with the Queensland Mounted Infantry.
Baden-Powell.—Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell. Special Service, Mafeking. Entered 13th Hussars, 1876; Major-General, 23rd May 1900. Staff Service—A.D.C. to G.O.C. Cape of Good Hope, 1888; A.M.S. and A.D.C. to G.O.C. Cape of Good Hope, 1888-90; A.M.S. and A.D.C. to Governor of Malta, 1890-93. Special Service, Ashanti, 1895-96; South Africa, 1899-1900. War Service—Operations in Zululand, 1888 (honourably mentioned); Ashanti Expedition, 1895-96 (honourably mentioned; Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel, Star); Operations in South Africa, 1896 (Despatches; Brevet of Colonel); South African War, 1899-1900; Mafeking. Afterwards on Staff. Promoted Major-General for distinguished services in the field. The heroic defender of Mafeking is the son of the late Prof. Baden-Powell, who married the eldest daughter of Admiral W. H. Smyth, F.R.S., a descendant of the gallant Captain John Smith of Elizabethan age. Their son, Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, was born on the 22nd February 1857. He was a godson of Robert Stephenson, the celebrated engineer. He is a keen soldier, a smart scholar, a fine actor, and a born wit, and to these qualities, combined with his amazing versatility and excellent spirits, he owes his popularity and success. In 1870 he was nominated by the Duke of Marlborough for Charterhouse, where he distinguished himself not only by his mental but moral qualities, while his irrepressible spirits caused him to be looked upon as the life of the school. In addition to his other accomplishments he is a first-rate polo-player and pig-sticker, a capital shot, and an ambidextrous artist. His favourite mottoes are: “Don’t flurry; patience gains the day!” and “A smile and a stick will carry you through any difficulty in the world.”
Bagot.—J. F. Bagot, J.P., D.L., M.P. for South Westmorland since 1892, County Councillor for Westmorland, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Financial Secretary to Treasury. This gallant officer (serving with Yeomanry Cavalry) retired as Captain in Grenadier Guards in 1886. Prior to that date he acted as A.D.C. to the Governor-General of Canada in 1882-83 and 1888-89. He is the eldest son of Colonel Charles Bagot, Grenadier Guards; was born in 1854, and married in 1885 to the daughter of Sir John Leslie, Bart.
Bainbridge.—Brev.-Maj. E. G. T. Bainbridge, The Buffs. Entered 1888; Brev.-Maj., 1898. Staff Service—Employed with Egyptian Army, 1896-98; D.A.A.G., S. Africa, 1899-1900. War Service—Ex. to Dongola, 1896 (Despatches, Nov. 1896); Nile Ex., 1897 (Despatches, Jan. 1898; clasp to Egyptian medal); Nile Ex., 1898 (Despatches, Sept. and Dec., 1898; Brev. of Maj.; clasp to Egyptian medal; medal); S. African War, 1899-1900; on Staff; Commanding Corps of Mounted Inf.