Bagot-Chester G J M Major 2nd Scots Guards
MAJOR JOHN GREVILLE MASSEY BAGOT-CHESTER, Scots Guards, was born in 1868, the eldest son of Colonel Heneage Bagot-Chester, at Henstead Hall, Suffolk. He was educated at Elstree and afterwards went to Brackenbury’s, the Army coach at Wimbledon, from there entering the 2nd Bat
talion, Scots Guards.
He was a fine athlete and won many running and jumping competitions, and once for a £100 bet he rode, ran, and walked a mile in under twenty minutes. He was very well-known with the Belvoir and Quorn Foxhounds and hunted from Melton Mowbray for several seasons.
He was all through the South African War and was present at the following engagements: Belmont, Modder River, Graspan, and Magersfontein.
On the Stock Exchange, where he became a member in 1910, he was connected for some years with the firm of Linton Clarke and Co., and later on with Lionel Robinson, Clark and Co.
He was the senior Major in the Brigade of Guards, with over twenty years’ service, when he retired. He rejoined the moment the war broke out.
His death took place in the course of the battle for Cambrai in November 1917, which opened with the famous surprise attack with tanks. He was hit by a shell and is buried near Flesquières. A letter from a brother officer said: “Poor Bubbles has gone. His loss will be felt throughout the Brigade of Guards, for he was ever a brave, gallant, and very popular officer, and we shall one and all mourn his loss.” Another officer wrote: “He was a gallant officer, true friend, and knew no fear.”
Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918