MAJOR-GENERAL CHAMBERS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12377, 16 December 1905, Page 12

MAJOR-GENERAL CHAMBERS.

The Rev. E. Eliot Chambers, vicar of St. Saviour's Church, West Lybtelton, received advice by the last mail of the death of his uncle, Major-General Richard Wolleelcy Chambers.. Deceased, who was o> distinguished military officer, passed away quite unexpectedly at nis residence, Richmond, England. The late Major-General was a godson of that Marquis of Wellesley, ■who was one of India's greatest Viceroys, and it was to him he owed his commission, which was granted him in 1841. At the time of the mutiny he was acting as Adjutant and interpreter o£ "thei lltji Native , lnfantry at Meerut, and so to him fell the task of reading •to the regiment on'parade the fatal order which directly led to the rising on Sunday, May 10th, 1857. Ho consequently became a marked man, and his wife was one of the first victims in tho massacre which ensued. His superior officer, Colonel Finnis, was shot down before his eyes in endeavouring to quell the revolt, but ho himself escaped to avenge his wife, whoso murderer ho fiioceeded in capturing, ami who was executed five days' afterwards. Ho received the medal witili Lucknow and Delhi clasps for his services. He was made Captain in 1860, Major in 1801, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1867, Colonel in 1872, and Major-General in 1875. He also served in the Sutlej and Bengal campaigns, for which he had the respective medals. Ho held two commands as Brigadier-General, including- that of the Delhi district for two years. Those who are intimate <wit3i the facts of the case say that he had more to do with, the capture of one of tho sons of tho rebel King of Delhi than is generally known. Had Colonel Finnis not perished eb the outset of the. revolt, more miglit have boen known of his earlier exploits. The late General retired from tho service somewhat early, and first went to Richmond some eixteen years ago. having previously resided at Maidenhead.

Yesterday a young man engaged as a painter in Rangiora, named Isaac Dixon Thompson, eldest son of Mr J. C. Thompson, of Amberley, died somewhat suddenly. He was seized with noritoniris on Tuesday night, and went into a nursing home. Ho wa,s well known nnd groat'.y respected in Raugiora and Ainberley.