Brigadier Alfred Stokes

  Research Notes:

source: & George Norris who writes:
Until recently I owned a Overton House in which once lived, 1928-30, Brig. Alfred Stokes
I believe he was elected to the New Galloway Town Council (smallest royal borough in Scotland [1633] ) and at his first meeting in December 1931 became Mayor (distinguished record etc.). Unfortunately he died before the January meeting. It is said the he is buried in Church of Kells graveyard, New Galloway, but I have found no marker. The church is about 250 metres from Overton House.
His wife Margaret Laing was from a ship building family in north east England.
He later adds:
Stokes Alfred Major STOKES, ALFRED, Major, was born 14 October 1860, son of Lieutenant General Sir John Stokes, KCB, of Ewell, Surrey, and Henrietta Georgina de Villiers (who died in 1893), second daughter of Charles Maynard, of Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope. He was educated at Cheltenham, and joined the Royal Artillery, as a Lieutenant, 18 February 1880, serving in South Africa in 1881; in the Bechuanaland Expedition 23 December 1884 to 12 March 1885, and was honourably mentioned in Despatches. He became Captain 25 April 1888, and Major 25 December 1897. Major Stokes served in the South African War from 1899 to 1900; was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action of Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights 14 to 27 February 1900, and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in the Transvaal, May and June 1900; operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; operations in Cape Colony, north of Orange River, including action at Ruidam. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Alfred Stokes, Major, Royal Artillery. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 3 June 1901. He became Lieutenant Colonel 14 November 1905; was given the Brevet of Colonel 14 November 1908, and was promoted to Colonel 14 November 1910. Colonel Stokes was Temporary Brigadier General, commanding Royal Artillery in India, from 22 December 1911, and served in the European War from 1914; was mentioned in Despatches, and created a CB in 1915, and a CMG in 1916. He retired from the Staff 2 September 1918, with the rank of Brigadier General. Brigadier General Stokes married, in 1891, Margaret Dunbar, daughter of Sir James Laing, of Etal Manor, Northumberland.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)

  Noted events in his life were:

• connection.

Alfred married Margaret Laing, daughter of Sir James Laing and Theresa Talbot Peacock, on 11 Aug 1891 in Ford, Glendale, Northumberland England. (Margaret Laing was born on 9 Jan 1868 in Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland, County Durham England, christened in St Michaels, Bishopwearmouth, Durham England and died on 12 Sep 1957 in Eastbourne, East Sussex England.)