ARTHUR BOWEN VAN STRAUBENZEE
1891 – 1967
Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1891 to Colonel Arthur Hope Van Straubenzee and Mary Rosher, Arthur had three younger sisters, Margaret Eleanor, Joyce Hope, and Evelyn Mary together with a younger brother Philip William.
Arthur during the years after his birth spent time in USA and Jamaica as his family accompanied his father’s military postings. In 1911 the family were resident in Kent.
Arthur, as the family tradition required, joined the Army in the early 1900’s (8th Generation of the Van Straubenzee family to serve with the Armed Forces). At the outbreak of the Great War, he was serving with the Royal Field Artillery.
In 1916 whilst serving upon the Western Front with his Regiment he was awarded the Military Cross for “conspicuous bravery”. By the end of the Great War in 1918, Arthur had achieved the rank of Major.
In 1919, Arthur Van Straubenzee married Margaret Joan Radcliffe of Bag Park Widecombe, sister of John and Edmund Radcliffe. Arthur and Margaret had two children William Radcliffe and Vivian Isabel Ruth.
Arthur continued his Military career after the War serving with the Indian Army. During the Second World War having achieved the rank of Brigadier, as Commander of the Royal Artillery of the 5th Indian Division he again served with distinction and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order.
Arthur Van Straubenzee died in 1967 aged 75.
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