5th Bt. Son of Maria Elizabeth (nee Fawkes) and the late 4th Baronet, of Fulmer Hall, Slough, Bucks. Previously served in the Egyptian Campaign (1882), the Nile Expedition (1884) (Mentioned in Despatches) and the South African War (Mentioned in Despatches). Born in 1859, and entered the Royal Horse Guards in 1890. He served in Egypt in 1882, and again in the Nile Expedition three years later. He also went through the first Matabele War as Military Adviser to the Administrator, and was seconded for service in the BBP in May, 1895. He took command, with rank of Lieutenant Colonel, of Dr Jameson's forces at the time of the Jameson Raid, for his connection with which he was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment, and allowed to retire from the Army. He also took part in the Boer War in 1899-1900. For several years he has been connected with several Rhodesian companies, of which he is a director. Sir John was mainly responsible for the discovery of diamond deposits in Gwelo, Rhodesia, and he was given by the Chartered Company a concession under which he was at liberty to prospect and mine over a certain area, retaining all diamonds without accounting to the company up to Dec 31, 1909. At the end of that time terms will have to be arranged with them as to the future working of the ground. The whole position with regard to diamonds was somewhat complicated by the company's agreement with the De Beers Company, with which they have a working arrangement. Probably steps will shortly be taken to determine the exact effect of that agreement. Sir John is the 5th Baronet of a creation of 1794, and has no heir. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918
MID LG Sup 8 February 1917 pg. 1353; MID LG Sup 22 September 1917 pg. 9846