Colonel H. M. W. Souter and the Battle of Agagia (Senussi Campaign), 1916: some papers

Colonel Hugh Maurice Wellesley Souter was born in India in 1872. He joined the 14th Murray's Jat Lancers from the Manchester Regiment in 1896, and served in the Tibetan Campaign of 1903-4, being mentioned in dispatches, and also on the frontier. In the First World War he was in France, Belgium, Gallipoli, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. He received the D.S.O. and the C.M.G., and was four times mentioned in dispatches, retiring in 1921. He died in Sydney, Australia, in 1941.The 'outstanding incident' in Souter's distinguished career was - as his obituary in The Times (1 December 1941) states - 'the magnificent charge of the Dorset Yeomanry under his command at the Battle of Agagieh [Agagia], in Egypt, on February 26, 1916, against the Senussi [a Muslim sect of tribesmen from Libya and the Sudan]. This charge, which was made entirely on the initiative of Colonel Souter, resulted in the complete rout of the enemy and materially contributed to the successful conclusion of the campaign. On breaking through the enemy's lines, Souter's horse was shot under him, and he found himself in front of Gafar Pasha [Ja'far Pasha al-Askari (1887-1936), later twice Prime Minister of Iraq], the commander of the Senussi, who, with his staff, surrendered to him. For that gallant and successful action Colonel Souter received the immediate award of the D.S.O.' Arthur G. Parham, in a letter published in The Times on 11 November 1936, gives more information regarding this 'feat of arms the fame of which should live in Dorset hearts and in cavalry annals for all time', including the statement that Jafar Pasha, 'describing the charge at Agagia afterwards said, "C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas selon les règles"; then he added, "No one but British cavalry would have done it."' Parham refers the reader to an account in the 1921 edition of C. W. Thompson's 'Records of the Dorset Yeomanry' (Sherborne: F. Bennett and Co).This collection casts interesting light on a distinguished officer and a notable engagement in the annals of the British Army, as well as on the machinations of the War Office during the Great War, and in particular on those of the 'Victoria Cross Committee'. The collection is lightly-aged and in good condition. Its fourteen items are as follows: two letters from the commanding officer in the Senussi Campaign, General Peyton, describing his efforts to obtain a Victoria Cross for Souter (including appeals to Lord Kitchener and King George V); a letter from the celebrated war artist Lady Elizabeth Butler, regarding her painting of the Battle of Agagia; three letters from the mother of Captain Benborough, killed at Agagia; an amusing letter from Thomas Foster, recalling his days serving under Souter in India; two copies of a telegram to Souter from the Marquess of Tullibardine, offering him a 'good battalion'; four photographs of the Dorset Yeomanry in Egypt, including one of Captain Benborough's grave; and Souter's 1916 passport.A. Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'W E Peyton') to Souter (both to 'My dear old Souter') from General Sir William Eliot Peyton (1866-1931), commander of the Western Frontier Force in Egypt, and leader of the expedition against the Senussi. LETTER ONE: 9 April 1916; Collingwood Mount, Camberley, Surrey. 4to, 2 pp. 28 lines. Begins 'I arrived in London on Friday & on Saturday wen t to the War Office to enquire about your V.C. as I saw you are suggested for a D.S.O.' He reports what he was told by the Military Secretary. Three 'senior generals' considered each recommendation, and their opinion was submitted to the King by the Secretary of State. 'All agreed that in ordinary times both you & Westminster would have tot it but the large number of gallant acts that have to go unrewarded in France militate against grants elsewhere'. Peyton does not 'mean to leave it at that', and will be seing 'Lord K tomorrow aft. & also [Sir William] Robertson & will press the case as if ever a Cross was well earned yours was Moreover if they are contented with giving you a D.S.O. what can they do for your squadron leaders'. He has 'an idea of getting at the Member for Dorsetshire', to 'see what he can do', but he has 'great hopes that K will help'. LETTER TWO: 2 May 1916; on letterhead of Fleming's Hotel, Clarges Street, Mayfair. 42 lines. With envelope, addressed by Peyton to Souter 'by favour of Major [Lancelot] Storr'. Their letters have crossed, and he reiterates that 'they had denied your V.C. & also Westminster's on the grounds that the standards set by the gallant deeds in France had been set so high'. Peyton 'could not accept that' and 'appealed against the decision'. The Military Secretary 'said it would not be changed. I appeled personally both to Lord K[itchener] & His Majesty when they were good enough to grant me audiences. Both agreed that your performance was a good V.C case but gave the same reason about the standard in France'. He knows 'for certain that one if not two of the so-called V.C Committee voted for it to be given. Your brevet also has been thrown out. Apparently the Army in France is very jealous of honours given elsewhere'. He is still not 'leaving it alone', and has heard from Storr that Souter is on his way home. Peyton goes on the Monday 'to join G.H.Q. in France as Military Secretary' and asks Souter to write to him there. Also asks him to forget 'that little misunderstanding': 'All I remember is the great service you & the gallant Dorsets under your Command did for me.' He suggests that Souter sees '[Captain Oswald] Fitzgerald & I will ask the latter to take you in to see Lord K'. He has written 'a very hurried account of the doings of the Dorset Yeomanry for the County Press at the request of Colonel Colefax'.B. Autograph Letter Signed ('Elizth: Butler') to Souter from the war artist Lady Elizabeth Butler (1846-1933), regarding her painting 'The Dorset Yeoman at Agagia', painted in 1917, exhibited at the Royal Academy in the same year, and now in the collection of Dorset County Council. Undated (circa 1916). 12mo, 3 pp. 29 lines. Text clear and complete. Bifolium with mourning border. Souter has torn away Butler's letterhead address and the date (not affecting text of letter); otherwise in good condition. She thought she had 'everything settled about the picture' when she received Souter's 'two excellent photographs'. To her 'dismay', she has 'only just learnt from Col. Goodden that he expects every officer's portrait to be shown!' She has explained to Goodden 'that the squadron & troop leaders must be at the head of their respective squadrons & troops, so that some of them must necessarily be a long way off.' She has 'now tried to bring these as near the centre' as she dares, and she hopes she will 'not be a called [sic] over the coals for this by disinterested army critics!' Asks Souter, if he receives the letter before leaving England, to let her know whether 'Gaafer was mounted or on foot (also his staff) & with what weapons they were defending themselves'. She hopes that his appointment takes him 'to France & not to Mesopotamia'.C. Three Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Rosa M Bengough') to Souter from Mrs Rosa Marguerite Bengough (1864-1941), regarding her son Captain John Crosbie Bengough (1888-1916) of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, who served under Souter at the Battle of Agagia, in which he died. LETTER ONE: 29 July 1916; Little Shepherds, Cranbrook, Kent. 4to, 2 pp. 27 lines. She thanks him for going to see her and for 'telling me the thrilling narrative of my dear Boy's week with you - I can picture it all, his enthusiasms, keen enjoyment & devotions'. She is certain he carried out, with 'pride & eagerness', the orders of Souter, whom he 'loved & admired'. Souter's taking Benbough into his confidence, 'when you were shaping & carrying out your plans - it was a glorious time to him'. She asks Souter for a signed photograph: 'I should greatly like to have it if I may, to put alongside of one of my Boy, because of the wonderful bond of sympathy between you, & that you were together when he had his hearts' desire'. LETTER TWO: 18 August 1916; on letterhead of Grangemuir, Pittenweem, Fife. 12mo, 3 pp. 25 lines. She thanks him for sending the enlarged photograph of her son's grave (at the Alexandria Military Cemetery). 'I can only say that I thank God for the comfort your love of my beautiful Son has brought my stricken heart, for I idolize him, and it would have been agony to face the Separation without any details of his most brave & gallant service & devotion'. LETTER THREE: 22 August 1916; on Grangemuir letterhead. 12mo, 4 pp. 42 lines. She has received the 'wonderfully nice' photographs: 'I love the simplicity of this memorial, it is as you say what he would have liked'. When she heard the news that he was not with his regiment she was greatly distressed, and she would have felt 'such anguish' had her son 'fallen in that far off country among strangers unknown & unmourned'. Peyton has told her that 'he will never forget him as long as he lives', and she is 'proud that my Boy earned the love and esteem of two such leaders of men'.D. Typed Letter Signed to Souter from Thomas Foster, who had served under him in the Manchester Regiment. 22 July 1916; Customs Station, Diamond Harbour, via Calcutta, Bengal, India. 4to, 3 pp. Foster describes himself as 'Ex Corporal 1st & 2nd Bns Manchester Regiment & Instructor of Signallers | Kinsale, Fort Camden, Limerick & Dinapore.' An affectionate and gently-humourous letter. Having read an account, in 'The Great War', of Souter's 'Intrepid Charge in Egypt', he finds it bringing to mind 'the afternoons when you used to turn us out of bed at Fort Camden to play Football, on the field near the Married Quarters'. He reminds Souter that 'the Class of Football played on those occasions was a mixture of Rugby & Association. Rugby on your part, and Association on the part of the others. Oh! How many blessings were showered upon your head (sotto voce) for your Bull-like rushes to obtain the ball.' After each game Souter would 'thank each man for turning out, (sic), thus eradicating all the soreness'. Foster 'could hardly keep a straight face' when Souter 'came into the Barrack Room' and asked him to 'turn the men out for Football. There would be about 6 men sitting on their Cots' at the time of Souter's arrival. 'The News had gone forth that "Jhonnie [sic] was on the War-Path" and then the Exodus commenced, and the men would hide in the Engineers Barrack Room, and alson in the Caponiers. Match Cancelled.' There follows, making up about half of the letter, a transcript of the 'Great War' account of Souter's 'wonderful charge'. Following the transcript Foster writes 'What a Big Bag [of prisoners].' He continues: 'I can just picture you in the charge, tearing madly along, cutting & stabbing, and then the supreme moment when you were unhorsed, and Gaafar Pasha surrendered "GLORIOUS:" | The charge of Balaclava OUT-CLASSED | The Football Fields of Fort Camden & Dinapore have produced "A HERO" | MANCHESTERS FOR EVER | THREE CHEERS for GENERAL H. M. W. Souter D.S.O. | HIP: HIP: HURRAH!' He asks Souter to send a photo, which he will 'hand down to my Only Son'.E. Two copies of the same telegram to Souter from Colonel John George Stewart-Murray (1871-1942), Marquess of Tullibardine [later the 8th Duke of Atholl]. The first, on the letterhead of the Eastern Telegraph Company Limited, dated from Kantara, 28 August 1916; the second, on Post Office Telegraphs letterhead, with stamp bearing the following day's date. 'Think can offer you good battalion will you accept do not anticipate lengthy stay here cable reply Tullibardine'.F. Four original black and white photographs of Souter and the Dorset Yeomanry in the desert. All in excellent condition. Three are printed as postcards, each 13 x 8 cm, with the first showing Souter and another officer in khakis before a desert well; the second showing six officers seated around a makeshift table; the third showing a number of officers seated and standing around another makeshift table, with tent to one side and others standing around. The fourth and last photograph, 11 x 7 cm, shows Captain Bengough's grave, with two wooden crosses (one with Bengough's name on it) atop a mound of stones.G. Souter's British passport, issued 5 October 1916. Complete, on one sheet, folded to make ten panels. In 12mo blue cloth wallet, gilt. Containing Souter's personal details, and with the usual photograph and sample signature. Stamped 'THIS PASSPORT IS NOT VALID FOR THE ZONE OF THE ARMIES.' Endorsements (stamps and manuscript) from Souter's passage to India, via France, Malta and Egypt, beginning in October 1916.