Major, 6th (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment formerly Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry. Killed in action 24th March 1918. Son of Charles Awdry, of Notton, Wilts; husband of C. L. Awdry, of Hitchambury, Taplow, Bucks. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). No known grave. Commemorated on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 6. Extract from Distinguished Service Order 1916-1923 published by Naval & Military Press: AWDRY, C. S.. (D.S.O. L.G. 2.12.18); Major, R. Wilts. Yeom., attd. 6th Bn. R. Wilts. R. He was killed in action 24.3.18. Extract from London Gazette 2nd December 1918: "AWDRY, CHARLES SELWYN, Major, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, attached 6th Battn. Wiltshire Regt For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed the greatest coolness and contempt of danger in conducting the retirement of the remnants of his battalion, and though greatly exhausted organized a new line of defence during the night. Next day, by his fine example he did much to steady the men of many scattered units." Extract from Winchester Old Boys Magazine: MAJOR CHARLES SELWYN AWDRY, DSO ROYAL WILTS YEOMANRY MAJOR CHARLES SELWYN AWDRY (C, 1890-1896) was born on March 23rd, 1877 - son of C. Awdry Esq. (COLL., 1861-1865); he was one of three Wykehamist brothers and nephew of the late Right Rev. William Awdry, Bishop of Tokio (Second Master, 1868-1872). He came to Winchester from Waynflete School, played for Lords in 1896 and the same year went up to New College, Oxford. On the outbreak of the South African War he went to the Cape with the Imperial Yeomanry and was mentioned in Despatches. In 1904 he became a partner in the firm of W. H. Smith & Son. For some years before the war he held a commission in the Royal Wilts Yeomanry and in 1917 was appointed to command the 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. In this capacity he rendered conspicuous service, receiving the D.S.O. and being twice mentioned in Despataches. They were heavily engaged in March 1918 at Bapaume during the Allied retreat of that month, and on 25th Major Awdry was reported missing. He is presumed to have fallen then.

jane elder