| Odd? Defiantly a novelty, this photograph shows A/Corporal Bugler W. E. Govier standing next to Lt. Col. The Honorable M. Curzon of the 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Govier stood four feet, nine inches tall while his officer stood six foot, four inches. The photograph was cut from an album. W. E. Govier was quite an interesting character. His apparent lack of physical height does not seem to have been much of a hindrance to him during his military career or afterward. The 1901 book The Rifle Brigade Chronicle by Lieut.-Colonel Willoughby Verner mentions Govier several times. He seemed to have had a certain theatrical bent to his nature as he is mentioned as regularly taking part in regimental stage productions one of which included his role as Sergeant Pipo-de-Clayo. He is also listed amongst the "Sons of the Regiment", his father having served as a Rifleman in the 3rd Battalion. Govier is pictured above as an Acting-Corporal but when The Rifle Brigade Chronicle was published in 1907 he is listed as having been promoted to Band-Sergeant and well as being entitled to the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. Govier is also listed as being entitled to the 1895-1902 India General Service Medal with the clasp "Punjab "Frontier 1897-98" Govier's service records states the he enlisted with the 1st Battalion, The rifle Brigade on 24 July, 1879 at the age of 14. His rank given as Boy. He transferred to the 3rd Battalion as a Boy on 24 September, 1880. He was granted his first Good Conduct Pay on 25 July, 1882. Govier was promoted Private on 24 July, 1882 after attaining the age of 17. Appointed Musician - 16 July, 1884 Appointed Acting Band Corporal - 14 May, 1889 Promoted Band Corporal - 11 January, 1896 Promoted Band Sergeant - 15 January, 1897 Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal - 1 October, 1899 Discharged as Band Sergeant - 30 April, 1901 Goveir's postings included: Home: 24 July, 1879 - 20 February, 1885 Gibraltar: 21 February, 1885 - 10 June, 1886 Home: 11 June, 1886 - 18 October, 1887 Egypt: 19 October, 1887 - 1 August, 1888 South Africa: 2 August, 1888 - 1 February, 1889 India: 2 February, 1889 - 9 April, 1901 Home: 10 April, 1901 - 30 April, 1901 While Govier's service papers show him only being entitled to the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. The Rifle Brigade Chronicle, published in 1907 shows Govier being entitled to the 1895-1902 India General Service Medal with the clasp "Punjab "Frontier 1897-98" i have not been able to confirm this entitlement in a India General Service Medal Roll. Govier married Miss Ellen Mary Clarke at Christ Church, Surrey on 6 July, 1886. They has at least two children, Mabel Florence born on 26 June. 1896 and Walter Leslie born on 2 February, 18, 1900. Another Sergeant serving with the 3rd battalion of the Rifle Brigade the same time as W. E. Govier was one No 5525 Sergeant Harry Govier. These two men appear to have been brothers. After leaving the Colours Govier became the principal attendant at the War Office library and authored the book Family Recollections: Memoirs of a Victorian Soldier. Govier returned to service with the Rifle Brigade during World War I. His medal index card lists him at his former rank of Band Sergeant and as being entitled to the Meritorious Service Medal. At the time of his discharge Govier was listed as being 35 years, 7 months old and 4 feet, 10 1/2 inches tall. He seems to have had grown a bit since the above photograph was taken. Govier's officer, Colonel the Hon, Montegu "Monny" Curzon was the born on 21 September 1846 being the eldest son of Richard Curzon-Howe, 1st Earl Howe, by his second wife Anne, daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir John Gore. 2nd Lieutenant, 98th Regiment of Foot - 10 November, 1865 Transferred to the Rifle Brigade - 10 November, 1865 Lieutenant - 19 January, 1870 Captain - 2 March, 1878 Major - 9 April, 1882 Lieutenant Colonel - 15 October, 1893 Colonel - 15 October, 1897 Half-Pay - 15 October, 1897 Retired - 25 March, 1903 The Rifle Brigade Chronicle mentions Curzon serving in Canada during the Fenian Raid and being entitled to the Canada General Service Medal with the "Fenian Raid 1866" clasp. He was in command of the 3rd Battalion under Sir William Lockhart with the Tochi Valley Field Force and received the 1895-1902 India General Service Medal with the "Punjab Frontier 1897-98" Clasp as well as being mentioned in despatches. Curzon married Esmé Fitzroy the daughter of Francis Horatio Fitzroy of Frogmore Park, Blackwater, Hants in 1886. They had one son and one daughter. He served in Parliament for Leicestershire North from 1883 until 1885 when the constituency was abolished. The Chronicle states that Curzon's health was for all intents ruined during his time in the Tochi Valley but as was so common at the time he soldiered on and "persistently declined to admit that aught was the matter with him." He died suddenly on 1 September, 1907 at his home, Garats-hay, Loughborough - after attending a meeting of the County Council and playing an afternoon round of croquet. Mounted Photograph 4 inches by 5 1/2 inches (10cm x 14.2 cm) Unknown Photographer Rawalpindi, India c. 1895 |
