Commanding Officer 2^nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles – CBE – JP

Charles John Wyndham was born 14^th June 1844 at Rogate, Sussex, the fourth son of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Wyndham 1796-1866 and his wife Elizabeth Anne Wyndham (nee Hepburne-Scott) 1803-1873.

Charles John Wyndham grew up in Sussex, before being educated at Eton 1857-1862. Charles entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, successfully completing his training in May 1865. Charles joined the 83^rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot as Ensign without purchase, the regimental depot companies being stationed in Ireland at this time, the remainder of the regiment arriving in Ireland in January 1866.

In March 1867, the depot companies of the 83^rd Regiment were moved to Colchester, and on 6^th April the remainder of the regiment embarked at Kingstown Ireland and conveyed by the troopship “Himalaya” to Gibraltar. On board that day, were 33 officers, 700 men, 66 women and 71 children.

Within weeks of arriving in Gibraltar, fellow 83^rd Regiment officer Lieutenant Charles Hay Tollemache became ill and died 23^rd April 1867, he was aged just 24. As a result of Lieutenant Tollemache’s death, Charles was promoted to Lieutenant without purchase 23^rd April 1867.

In February 1869, Charles was appointed Instructor of Musketry for the 83^rd Regiment. In the same year, The Broad Arrow newspaper reported, “By the annual Musketry Return for season 1868/69 we see that the 83^rd Regiment still holds its position as best shooting regiment in the army. The best judges of distance among the officers are reported to be Lieutenant Wyndham, Cartwright, and Metcalfe.”

By March 1870, the 83^rd Regiment had been garrisoned at Gibraltar for almost three years. On 11^th March, the regiment embarked on the troopship “Tamar” and proceeded to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. From there they were transported by railway to the port of Suez on the Red Sea, and on 25^th March embarked on the troopship “Euphrates” for onward transport to India. Arriving at Bombay 8^th April 1870, the regiment travelled to Poona, where it would be quartered in Wanourie Barracks. Poona, located 120 miles southeast of Bombay in the western state of Maharashtra, was one of the most important military and administrative centres for the British in India in the 19th century.

In June 1870, Charles Wyndham aged 26 was promoted to Captain by purchase, vice Captain George Fawkes who retired.

In 1873, Charles was granted 6 months leave to return to England on “private affairs”. The term “private affairs” was often used as a euphemism for sick leave, hiding the fact that many officers needed to return home for treatment or to recover from illness.

By 1875, Charles who had not returned to India, was commanding the regiment’s depot companies based in Ireland.

In June 1878, Charles had returned to India to rejoin the regiment and was appointed to officiate as Station Staff Officer at Hyderabad.

In February 1880, Charles sailed on the troopship “Juma” for England, and in May was reported to be in Belfast for two years duty. In June, however, Charles was granted three months leave of absence “for the benefit of his health.”

In November 1880, the regiment still stationed in India was ordered to proceed to England, but in January was diverted to Natal in South Africa, where an outbreak of hostilities with the Boers would see the 83^rd Regiment on active field service. In the same month, Charles travelled from Belfast to join the regiment in South Africa, travelling from Plymouth on the HMS Danube.

In July 1881, the 83^rd Regiment became the 1^st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles under the Childers reforms, and at the same time Charles Wyndham was promoted to Major. After spending much of its time in South Africa on rear-area labouring duties, the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, 17 officers and 498 men returned to England aboard the HMS Tamar in January 1882.

In November 1882, Charles was married to Laura Sophia Wodehouse, daughter of the late Rev. Alfred Wodehouse, at St Peter’s Church, in Eaton Square, London.

In February 1889, Charles was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and took command of the 2^nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. At this time, Charles was one of only three officers commanding an Infantry Battalion of less service than Colonel in the British Army. By November 1891, Charles was back in Ireland, and in January 1893 he retired from the army.

In retirement Charles became involved in local politics, becoming a member of the Midhurst Rural District Council and West Sussex County Council. Charles also became a Justice of the Peace and sat on the Midhurst Magisterial Bench for thirty years.

Charle’s wife Laura Sophia Wyndham died 29^th August 1904 aged 57 years, the couple had been married 22 years.

Despite having no children, Charles was a Governor of Midhurst College and also Bishop Otters College. Charles also worked as a Director for Sussex of the British Red Cross from 1910-1930.

In 1918, Charles was awarded a CBE for his work with the Red Cross.

Charles Wyndham died 1^st May 1930 after a long illness at his home Hatfield Lodge, Midhurst, West Sussex, he was 85 years old.

For a more in-depth story of Charles John Wyndham’s life, plus more photographs, click here

Researched and written by Gary Hynard 2025