As evidenced by this carte’s inscription, Shortt was in Cairo by 16 August 1885 and had been appointed lance-corporal in the 1/Black Watch. Possibly due to his shifting between officer and enlisted rank, his enlisted service papers have not been found. We know from the Egypt Medal Roll that Shortt was attached to Wolseley’S river column and took part in the Battle of Kirbekan. He was entitled to the “Nile 1884-5” and “Kirbekan” clasps for his Egypt Medal along with the bronze Khedive’s Star. Based on a comment in the Khedive’s Star medal roll, he transferred to the 2/Black Watch sometime after the war.
By September 1887 Shortt had been promoted sergeant when the London Gazette announced his promotion to second lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment. He was promoted lieutenant on 27 August 1890. By the time of his promotion to captain (London Gazette, 12 November 1896) he had rejoined his old regiment, the Royal Scots.
He saw additional field service under General Sir William Lockhart along India’s North West Frontier with the Tirah Expeditionary Force. He was severely wounded at the action In the Bara Valley. Shortt was entitled to the 1895 India General Service Medal with the “Punjab Frontier 1887-98”, “Samana 1897”, and “Tirah 1897-98” clasps.
With the advent of the Anglo-Boer War, Shortt deployed to South Africa, earning the Queen’s South Africa Medal with the clasps “Cape Colony”, “Orange Free State”, and “Transvaal”. He was additionally entitled to the King’s South Africa Medal with the “South Africa 1901” and “South Africa 1902” Clasps. While in South Africa he served as assistant provost marshal of Johannesburg from December 1900 to 15 September 1902.
Shortt served with the Norfolk Regiment for a time after the war and was promoted major retired on 4 February 1905.
Francis de Sausmarez Shortt married Clare Frances Mansel at West Fordington, Dorset on 16 August 1905. The couple would have two children: Daphne Mansel Short (b. 1909) and Hugh de Sausmarez Shortt (b. 1912). Francis de Sausmarez Shortt passed away at Weymouth, Dorset on 20 March 1956.
Carte de Visite
Pascal Sebah - Photographer
Cairo, Egypt
16 August 1885
