Wilfred Gilbert Thesiger

Honourable Wilfred Gilbert Thesiger, DSO (25 March 1871- 31 January 1920) was a British officer and diplomat, who was British Minister in Ethiopia from 1909 to 1919.

Background and early life

Thesiger was born into a well-connected family of politicians, officers and diplomats. He was a younger son of the 2nd Baron Chelmsford by Adria Fanny Heath, daughter of Major-General John Coussamker Heath. His father was a General, his grandfather the 1st Baron Chelmsford was twice Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom, and his elder brother Frederic Thesiger had a distinguished career as colonial governor, became Viceroy of India and was created Viscount Chelmsford. Lieutenant-General Sir Eric Thesiger was a younger brother.

Career

Thesiger was Vice-Consul to Taranto between 1897 and 1900. He fought with the Imperial Yeomanry in the Second Boer War between 1900 and 1901, where he was mentioned in despatches. For his services he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1900 and promoted to the rank of captain. He resigned his commission in December 1901,[1][2] and was granted the honorary rank of captain in the army. Following his return to Europe, he entered the diplomatic service.

He held the following offices

He fought in the First World War, where he was mentioned in despatches. He was decorated with the award of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia (1st Class).

Family

Thesiger married Kathleen Mary Vigors, aged twenty-nine, daughter of Thomas Mercer Cliffe Vigors, at St Peter's Church, Eaton Square, in London, on 21 August 1909. They had four children:

He lived at The Milebrook, Bucknell, Shropshire, England.

References

  1. ↑ "No. 27379". The London Gazette. 22 November 1901. p. 7650.
  2. ↑ "No. 27462". The London Gazette. 8 August 1902. p. 5098.
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