Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
Murray: Captain (Comdg.) Queen's South Africa medal and 4 clasps.
Source:# 84 born England enlisted Braidwood NSW trained Braidwood & S. Districts Lieutenant Horse Tp.
Dunn&B : invalided to England, leadership criticised.
Cope1: born Isle of Wight Eng. in 1860, cavalry soldier from Double Bay NSW, invalided to Eng. returned to Aust. in 1901.
URL2: appointed Captain in Remount Dept. in S. Africa.
URL4: ?Major Charles THOMPSON, Imperial Remount officer, buying on behalf of War Office.
URL5: Adjutant of King's Colonials and 4th County of London Imperial Yeomanry, fined for assaulting Captain Hay CLARK in 1903.
URL7: Capt. RR THOMPSON 1AH photo.
URL9: AN AUSTRALIAN FRACAS, SENSATIONAL ASSAULT CASE. A longstanding quarrel between Captain Robert Roland THOMPSON, Adjutant of the King's Colonials, and Captain James Hay CLARK culminated on Sunday, October 12, [1902], in an assault by the former on the latter near the Kiosk in Hyde Park at the time of the Church Parade. Captain THOMPSON used to be in the First Australian Horse and Captain CLARK was a captain of the New South Wales Lancers, and is now on the reserve list of officers. According to Captain THOMPSON's story, in 1885 he was warrant officer in the New South Wales Lancers, and made the acquaintance of Captain CLARK, who joined the regiment. An unfortunate incident occurred between them when Captain THOMPSON thought Captain CLARK was interfering with his duties, and ordered him out of his office. Captain THOMPSON fought in the South African war, where he showed considerable gallantry. In 1901, however, certain charges were made against him in South Africa and he was asked for an explanation by the Australian military
authorities. But he did not go back to Australia, and the Australian Government dispensed with his services as from 13th September, 1901. What those charges were and whether there was any foundation for them did not come out at the Marlborough Street Police Court where the circumstances were investigated. Captain THOMPSON's explanation of his attitude was that he returned to South Africa in August and remained there until November, that he supposed the reason he was asked to tender his resignation from Sydney was because he was gazetted in the Imperial Army, and that no complaint of any charges in Australia was brought before him until July of this year. When the King's Colonials was in course of formation at the end of 1901, and Captain THOMPSON was about to be appointed Adjutant, Captain CLARK wrote to Colonel Willoughby WALLACE, their colonel, and to General Sir Edward HUTTON, calling their attention to the charges made against Captain THOMPSON. In one letter he said - "I have learned from all sources that this officer's record in South Africa deserves much more serious action than sending to Coventry. ... It is well known to Australians that he has been living in London on the loyalty ticket". Colonel WALLACE consulted a senior officer at the Horse Guards, and they agreed that if Captain CLARK was an officer and a gentleman, the only course he could take, having made general charges against a man behind his back, was to confront him, and that if he did not confront him and took no notice of it his conduct was beneath contempt. Colonel WALLACE therefore wrote a letter, asking Captain CLARK to face Captain THOMPSON, but received no reply. Captain CLARK, however, consulted Sir Edward HUTTON, who thought the suggestion of a confronting would not lead to any proper result, and considered that the Australian authorities should be communicated with. There the matter ended about the end of 1901 or beginning of 1902. About half past 12 on Sunday, October 12 [1902], Captain THOMPSON and Captain CLARK met at Hyde Park corner. Captain THOMPSON rushed up and struck Captain CLARK on the shoulder with his umbrella calling him a scoundrel. Captain CLARK called a constable, who, however, refused to arrest the assailant, as he had not himself seen the assault. Captain THOMPSON soon gave him abundant cause for interference. Addressing the crowd, which had assembled, the gallant officer remarked, "This man is a scoundrel, black guard, liar and coward" with the usual adjective before each and then struck Captain CLARK a blow with the fist in the face knocking his hat off. This satisfied the constable, who took Captain Thompson in charge to the Hyde Park police station. The inspector, seeing that the parties were acquainted, would not take the charge but advised a summons. After communicating with Lord CARRINGTON, the hon. colonel of his regiment, Captain CLARK took out a summons, and told his story to Mr. KENNEDY last Thursday [4.12.1902]. The Magistrate declined to investigate the charges against Captain THOMPSON. "I have only to do" he said wisely "with a blow from an umbrella and a fist". At the adjournment he intimated that there must be a conviction, the assault being admitted, and that the only question was the amount of the penalty, but strongly advised the parties to settle. Captain THOMPSON declared the complaints against him to be without foundation, and Colonel WALLACE testified to his entire confidence in Captain THOMPSON's capacity, energy and integrity, and to the ready way in which officers and troopers, as soon as they heard of the charges, had come forward to vindicate Captain THOMPSON's character. Mr Kennedy at the close of this case said it was admitted that the assault had been committed. The complainant had made certain reports, which the defendant naturally resented, and would resent whether they were justifiable or unjustifiable; but this involved a question of military discipline which could not be settled at that court. Defendant had taken the law into his own hands, and he thought that under all the circumstances a fine of £5 would meet the case. Mr. WHATELEY applied for costs for Captain CLARK. Mr. KENNEDY - "I have no power to grant costs".
|