Maj-Gen Geoffrey Barton

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" Capt. Barton" this Carte de Visite shows a young Geoffry Barton while Adjutant
(1869-73) in the 1st Battalion of the 7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers). Taken in Dublin the approximate date
is based upon the Regiment's posting to Irelend from 1869 and Barton departure for special service duty under Sir
Garnet Wolseley in West Africa during the 1874 Ashanti Expedition.

Born on February 22, 1844 and was commissioned as Ensign in the 7th Foot on 3 October, 1862. He became
Lieutenant in 1865.

While on special service in West Africa he took part in engagements at Jirbinbah and Kumassi. For his services he
was mentioned in despatches.

After his return home he served as Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Shipley and was gazetted to the 23rd Foot
(Royal Welch Fusiliers). He then obtained a transfer back to his old regiment the 7th Foot.

Leaving England again on special service in South Africa he served through out the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 in
command of the 4th Battalion Natal Native Contingent and was present at the Battle of Ginginhlovo and was
mentioned in despatches twice and promoted Brevet-Major.

Returning the England he attended Staff College and attained his certificate in 1881.

With the out break of hostilities in Egypt he joined Sir Garnet Wolseley's staff as Assistant Adjutant-General in
Command of Military Police and was present at both Kassassin and Tel-el-Kebir. Again mentioned in despatches
he was promoted Brevet Lieutenant- Colonel. He briefly served in Hong Kong before returning to Africa where he
joined Lt. General Graham, V.C. in the Sudan during the Gordon Relief Expedition of 1885.

In 1890 he attained command of the 2/7 and at the end of 1891 exchanges into the 1st Battalion in India. He
served in various capacities in England until 1898 when he went on half-pay as a Major General.

Recalled to duty against the Boers Barton commanded the 6th Brigade of the South African Filed Force. NHe took
part on the operation for the relief of Ladysmith and did distinguished service at the Battle of Colenso.

Soldiers Of The Queen

I believe it was Barton that sort permission to create this monument to the Fusiliers 1914-19 War.
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How old was Barton when he passed away.

Hi 24th

He was 78 when he died

After the Siege of Ladysmith was relieved, Barton was ordered to take 100 men from each of the three Fusilier regiments to form the infantry escort for the column that was to relieve the Siege of Mafeking. The Imperial Light Horse provided the main mounted element of the Mafeking relief force. Men of the ILH and Fusiliers share the distinction of having "double relief" clasps on their QSAs (Ladysmith, Mafeking).

Brett

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"Geoffrey Barton commanded the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers from Sep 1890 to 1894. The photo shows him in his regimental uniform with colonel's rank insignia, but his medals show that the photo was taken after 1902 when he received the CMG. There are also his Queen's and King's medals for South Africa, the medal for the Ashanti Expedition, in which he was wounded, the Zulu War, the Nile Expedition and Egypt 1882. The large medal is the Turkish Order of the Medjidie. He also served in Hong Kong with the rank of lieutenant-colonel as Military Secretary to Major-General John Sargent.
Sir Geoffrey Barton achieved fame in the Boer War as a result of his command of the 6th (Fusiliers) Brigade in the South Natal Field Force, comprising 4 companies of the 2nd battalion Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1st Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and the 2nd Btn Royal Irish Fusiliers. In his book 'From London to Ladysmith via Pretoria' Winston Churchill refers to the brigade as Barton's Brigade. Barton was familiar with at least two of the battalions having been a Royal Fusilier Officer who during the Ashanti Expedition of 1873 had served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Barton himself was wounded on 27th Feb 1900 in the relief of Ladysmith. When his brigade was held in reserve at Colenso he made the decision not to send them in to support the withdrawal of troops in the first attack, especially Dundonald's mounted troops and Hildyard's 2nd Brigade, a decision that was criticised for being over-cautious. After the relief of Ladysmith and Mafeking he was posted to the Transvaal to take command in the Krugersdorp and Pretoria districts until the end of the war.

After the Boer War he retired to Dumfrieshire and was involved in the Red Cross Society and the Boy Scouts. His marriage to Beryl Marie Baskerville Mackenzie resulted in 3 children, Philip in 1891, Charles in 1893 and Joanna in 1894.

1844 born on 22nd Feb in Stuttgart
1862 Entered Royal Fusiliers as an ensign. 30th Oct
1865 Lieutenant.
1869 Adjutant of 1st Btn Royal Fusiliers
1873 Ashanti Expedition attached to Welsh Fusiliers
1874 Captain in Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Nov
1874 ADC to Brigadier Shipley, Aldershot (until 1877)
1875 Returned to Royal Fusiliers
1879 Zulu War. OC 4th Btn NNC
1879 Battle of Gingindlovu 2nd Apr
1882 Egypt OC Foot Police. Kassasin, Tel-el-Kebir
1882 Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel
1884 Hong Kong. Assistant Military Sec.
1885 Suakin. Assistant Military Sec.
1885 Served in Britain for several years
1889 Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
1890 Commanding Officer of 2nd Btn Royal Fusiliers (up to 1894)
1890 married Beryl Mackenzie
1895 AAG Thames District
1897 AAG Northwest District
1898 Major General. 27th Oct
1899 In Command of 6th (Fusiliers) Brigade
1899 Colenso. 15th Dec. Barton's decision criticized
1900 Colonel of 7th Royal Fusiliers. 1st May until his death
1901 Commanded Krugersdorp and Pretoria Districts
1902 Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
1904 Retired from Army. Aug
1906 Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)
1922 Died on 8th July"

Source:The British Empire/ Forces

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The Scotsman 12 July 1922

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Birth22 Feb 1844  
Death 6 Jul 1922 (aged 78)
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Burial Dumfries High Cemetery  Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland


Source: Find A Grave