George Pleydell Bouverie 239
- Born: 18 October 1857
- Died: 5 February 1924, 32 Hill Street, Berkeley Square, London aged 66 13
General Notes:
From The Times, February 6, 1924
Colonel George Pleydell Bouverie died yesterday, at 32, Hill-street, W., at the age of 66. Of him an old friend writes:- Very many regrets will accompany this Coldstreamer to the grave, for many knew "Bou", and all with affection. Born in 1857, great-grandson of the second Earl of Radnor, and educated at Harrow, George Bouverie took his first commission in the Coldstream Guards from the Militia in 1878, remaining throughout his service with the regiment from which few of its members consider they remove, even to preferment, with any betterment to themselves. With the Coldstream, therefore, Bouverie shared the Egyptian campaign and that in South Africa, becoming lieutenant-colonel in 1902 and brevet colonel in 1905, and from its ranks he retired in 1906 to his Rutlandshire home amongst the "cut-'em-downs". For Bouverie was a famous horseman, both across natural and "made" countries, and was long a star among the gentlemen-riders of the Army. He feared nothing, and to his numerous falls was doubtless partially due the paralysis which embittered his latter years truly more ot his friends than to his unconquerable self. The Great War of 1914 found Bouverie therefore on the shelf, whence he was quickly plucked to instil into untrained troops something of the discipline and ideals of the Guards. After a period of coastal command in the north, he was appointed to that of the 175th Brigade soon after its embodiment at Crowborough, taking this unit to its next training-ground about Ipswich in 1915. But to his grief Bouverie was allowed to take it no further. "A young man's war" had no use for a hale old sportsman; but Bouverie, not to be balked of serving his King, doffed his brigadier's uniform only to don instanter that of a special constable, in which capacity many a bitter night bore witness to a patriotism not often exhibited in like circumstances. But "old Bou", a man of principle as high as ever existed, saw no bitterness but only duty in all that befell himself. Moreover, he sweetened all with his own kindly humour. Of this many instances are recalled, but one will serve to show how fun alone was ever permitted to supplant even the discipline which was its rival in all his doings. While training his brigade of eager Londoners, certain night operations were instigated with all the minority prohibitions against talking, and especially against showing lights, common to such inflictions. In contravention of which a genuine humorist in the ranks, picking a glowworm, with which the Suffolk heaths abounded, from the ground, placed it on the forefront of his cap, where it shone bravely, an admirable simulacrum of a furtive match. In a moment Bouverie was on the man, but discovering the jest, all silence and mystery were forthwith and forever banished from the operations by his own loud and inextinguishable laughter. But not only that peccant soldier will remember George Bouverie as a gallant and kindly gentleman. Few were more beloved and loving, and it is the only penalty of our wealth in distinguished soldiers, and alas! of their daily departure, that more space cannot be devoted to a fuller recognition of a patient life of very little rewarded toil. Lieutenant Colonel, commanding 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
Noted events in his life were:
1. Resided: 5 February 1924, 32 Hill Street, Berkeley Square, London. 13
2. Resided: 5 February 1924, Wilton Lodge, Oakham, Rutlandshire. 13
3. He had an estate probated on 29 March 1924 in London. 13
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