Major Lancelot Arthur EDDIS
43rd (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

Date of birth: 21st January 1882
Date of death: 18th March 1959

Died aged 77
Unknown
Lancelot Arthur Eddis was born at 25 Craven Road, Paddington in London on the 21st of January 1882 the only son of Arthur Clement Eddis, a barrister-at-law, and Julia (nee Shadwell) Eddis of 25 Craven Road, Paddington, later of Grange House, Saltwood, Hythe in Kent. He was christened at St Andrew's Church Marylebone on the 25th of February 1882.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until July 1895 where he was runner up for the golf prize in July 1895 and was a member of the Cricket XI in the same year. The school magazine wrote of his 1895 cricket season: - "A fine hitter, but too nervous to do himself justice. Does his best in the field."

The magazine wrote the following of him when he left the school: - "For three years has run neck and neck with him (Cecil Wyatt-Edgell) for the first place in the School. He too has been a shining light in many ways; in work very nearly top: a useful member of the Cricket XI. A good musician and chorister a vivacious and tireless conversationalist."

He went on to Eton College where he was in Miss Evan’s House, leaving in 1900.


He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Yorkshire Artillery (Western Division) on the 11th of April 1900 and transferred to the Royal Artillery on the 4th of May 1901. He was promoted to Lieutenant on the 4th of May 1904. On the 4th of October 1912 he was seconded while he attended a Gunnery Staff Course and returned to his unit, 140th Battery, Royal Field Artillery based at Hilsea, on the 17th of August 1913. Later In 1913 he transferred to the 43rd (Howitzer) Brigade at Farnborough and was appointed as their Adjutant on the 9th of November 1913. He was promoted to Captain on the 17th of March 1914.

Following the outbreak of war he embarked for France on board the SS "Cardiganshire" on the 16th of August 1914 and landed at Boulogne the following day. He was promoted to Major on the 24th of September 1915. He was seconded for service to the War Office from the 6th of June to the 25th of July 1916 and was appointed as a Brigade Major attached to a Headquarters Unit on the 2nd of November 1917. He served on the staff in France with the 4th Divisional Artillery being promoted to General Staff Officer 2nd Grade on the 9th of January 1919. He was seconded for a Special Appointment to the General Staff on the 16th of August 1919 and, on relinquishing this, he returned to his regiment on the 10th of June 1920.

On the 21st of January 1921 he was again appointed as a Brigade Major and was seconded for service with the Territorial Army, returning to his regiment on the 8th of March that year. On the 1st of May 1921 he was appointed as an Adjutant.

He was married ) at Marton Church, Burton Constable in Yorkshire to Blanche Mary (nee Chichester-Constable on the 29th of November 1922; they had a son, Richard Joseph, born on the 10th of June 1928.

On the 1st of May 1929 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and on the 1st of November 1933 he retired from the army and was placed on the reserve list. On the 21st of January 1937 he was released from the Reserve of Officers having reached the required age limit.

On the outbreak of the Second World War he rejoined the services in 1939 and was attached to 25 Group at RAF Brize Norton. He was appointed as Flight Lieutenant 67740 in the Royal Air Force Reserve of Officers on the 13th of June 1941. On the 11th of February 1944 he relinquished his commission due to ill health and left the service with the rank of Squadron Leader.

He was a member of the Cavalry Club and lived latterly at Grange House, Saltwood, Hythe.
Went on to Eton College

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