Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the Reverend Henry John Hughes-Onslow, born 21st March 1816 in Merrow, Surrey and his wife Judith Charlotte Hughes-Onslow (nee Barras, married on the 8th January 1861 in St. James’ Church, Paddington, Middlesex), born on the 17th April 1832 in Shepperton, Middlesex. Arthur was born on the 21st August 1862 in Alton Albany, Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland, his siblings were, Denzil, born on the 20th December 1863 and Spencer, born on the 16th June 1865, the latter two siblings were both born at Barr, Ayrshire, Constentine Henry, born on the 29th March 1867 in Richmond Surrey, Julius Somerset, born on the 28th December 1869 in France and Henry Douglas, born on the 3rd January 1871 in Middlesex. Arthur’s father died in on the 31st July 1870, aged 54. In April 1881 Arthur was absent from the family home at The Hut, 1, Rock Gardens, South Bersted, Sussex, residing there was his widowed mother and siblings, Somerset, a schoolboy and Henry a schoolboy, meanwhile Arthur was serving as a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Berkshire. In April 1891 Arthur was serving as a Captain with the 10th (Prince of Wales’s Own Royal) Hussars and was residing as a visitor at Deighton Grove Hall, Deighton Grove, Naburn, Yorkshire, this being the family home of George Whitehead, a magistrate living on his own means, born 1834 in Bradford, Yorkshire and his children, Ann Kathleen, born in the 4th quarter of 1866 in Lancaster, Lancashire, Ethel Blanche, born 1869 and baptised on the 3rd October 1869 in St. Mary’s Church, Riccall, Yorkshire and George Talbot, born 1871 and baptised on the 12th February 1871 in St. Mary’s Church, Riccall, the latter two siblings were both born in Riccall, Charles Hugh Tempest, born 1882 and baptised on the 16th January 1881 in St. Helen’s Church, Escrick, Allan Octavius, born 1882 and baptised on the 23rd July 1882 in St. Helen’s Church, Escrick and Noel Gladys, born in the 1st quarter of 1886 and baptised on the 28th February 1886 in St. Helen’s Church, Escrick, the latter three siblings were all born in Naburn. On the 3rd June 1891 Arthur married Ann Kathleen Whitehead in St. Helen’s Church, Escrick. Arthur and Ann had two children, Lieutenant Geoffrey Hughes-Onslow, D.S.C. Royal Navy, who married The Honourable Eileen Crofton, daughter of Lord Crofton, Mote Park, Roscommon, Ireland, and Dorothy Kathleen Onslow-Hughes who married Lieutenant Douglas Lithgow of The Royal Dragoons. Arthur’s widow moved home to reside at Linda Vista, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales.
Arthur was educated at Eton College and while there was in the Eton XI in 1880, when he scored 41 and 0 versus Winchester and 24 and 6 versus Harrow, he was at the time described as a good bat, hitting well and hard, and a fair field. He was also an Association footballer. He then attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was originally gazetted to the 5th Lancers (Royal Irish) as Lieutenant on the 10th May 1882, but did not join that regiment, transferring on the 6th September 1882 to the 10th Hussars (Prince of Wales’s Own Royal) joining them in Lucknow, India. He remained with this regiment for almost 21 years and along the way acquired the nickname “Junks,” although he claimed he had no idea why it was given to him, it soon became the name by which he was known by family, friends, the racing public and fellow soldiers alike. All men who served with the Cavalry had to be competent in the saddle, but Arthur appeared to be possessed of exceptional skills as a horseman. He was a longstanding member of his regiment’s polo team and was a renowned steeplechaser. At Sandown Park in 1888 he rode the winner, Bertha, in the Grand Military Gold Cup, this being the most prestigious race for gentlemen jockeys and an event that he went on to win on two further occasions. In 1914, in spite of being retired from the Army for over a decade, Arthur immediately upon the outbreak of war placed his services at the disposal of the War Office. His death however was not to be war related, initial reports claimed that he had perished in a plane crash in early August 1914, this appears to have been a ploy to hide the true nature of the death due to his prominence and popularity as a sportsman. In fact when the Government Press Bureau announced his death in the same bulletin as two officers who died in a car accident and two others in a plane, it seemed to be a deliberate attempt to mask Arthur’s sad demise. In fact, Arthur had shot himself on August 17th, 1914, on the transport ship S.S. City of Edinburgh en route to France. Having been a dedicated horseman who had taken his own horses into the Boer War, after having been assigned to the Remount Staff he appears to have taken his own life rather than take horses back into the field of battle. His body being conveyed to Le Havre for burial in Sanvic Communal Cemetery, a village and commune bordering the town of Le Havre, on the 27th April 1938 his body was exhumed and was reinterred in Ste. Marie Cemetery in Le Havre.
On Saturday, August 22nd, 1914 The Grantham Journal published the following article under the heading. “RUTLAND’S FIRST TRIBUTE TO THE WAR.” – DEATH OF MAJOR HUGHES ONSLOW. – A FINE SPORTSMAN. – The county of Rutland has been one of the very first to pay gallant toll of life in the great European war now in progress, and in the forfeit of the life of Major Arthur Hughes Onslow, of Braunston, it may truly be said to have given one of its very best. The sad information was learned on Tuesday, only to be confirmed by the official announcement issued in the first list of casualties of the war so far as the British troops operating in France were concerned on Wednesday evening. The statement was – “In addition to the death of Lieutenant-General Sir J. Grierson, already announced, the following deaths and accidents are reported from France: - Dead, Major Hughes Onslow (late 10th Hussars), Reserve of Officers, died August 17th,” other names following. Immediately upon the outbreak of the war, Major Onslow at once placed his services at the disposal of the War Office, and was, we understand, appointed a Remount officer at Southampton. Of his qualification for such a post there could not be the shadow of a doubt. One of the finest of horsemen, as his career detailed below shows, as well as a fine judge of the animal itself, no one could have been selected who was more adapted for the appointment. While we must of course, give all honour to the man, who, though a brilliant military career was looked upon as being ended, volunteered in the country’s emergency to again take up the reins of duty, it is in a local sense that everyone regards his particularly untimely death as a great and even irreparable loss. To Mrs. Onslow and family the utmost sympathy will be extended, with the assurance that everyone who knew him – and who did not? – In the district, recognises that he died as he had fought for the best interests of his King and country. Major Hughes Onslow was born in Ireland in 1862, his father being a member of the family of which the Earl of Onslow is the head. Educated at Eton and Sandhurst, he was appointed in 1882 to the 10th Hussars, which regiment he went out to join at Lucknow. Leaving for England in 1884, his ship was stopped at Aden, and the regiment was ordered to Suakin, to join the expedition under Sir Gerald Graham, with whom Major Hughes Onslow had experience of active service at El Teb and Tamai. For this he received the medal with clasp. He also served in the South African war in 1899-1900, and was awarded the Queen’s medal and three clasps. On retiring from the Army, Major Hughes Onslow came to reside at Braunston, and quickly established himself in general esteem and popularity, not only as the keenest and most genial of riders to hounds, but as one of the cleverest and best of steeplechase riders. Maintaining the characteristic of the soldier who has “seen things,” he was nevertheless of a most genial disposition, and he was held in the utmost esteem and regard by everyone. We learn that Major Hughes Onslow quickly showed his ability as a steeplechase rider, and on his first appearance in the saddle at the Melton Meeting in 1892 he won a couple of steeplechases in one afternoon. It was however, in the Grand Military Gold Cup that the deceased officer scored his principal successes, having set up a record for the event by winning it three times in four attempts – a feat which has yet to be equalled or beaten; while he was on the back of the winner of the Irish Grand Military on three occasions. Major Onslow’s first victory in the Gold Cup was accomplished as long ago as 1888, when he scored on Bertha, owned by Mr. (now Colonel) H. T. Fenwick. A long sojourn in India with his regiment caused his name to be missing from the records of the great Sandown prize, but even in that far off country he was not idle, as he won the Indian Grand Military Steeplechase at Umballa. Thus half-a-score of years passed before Major Onslow again took his place among the field for the Gold Cup, his mount this time being County Council, also owned by Major H. T. Fenwick. It is interesting to note that in the interim both owner and jockey, who had been subalterns at the time of Bertha’s success, had obtained promotion to Major. The field was eleven strong, but County Council started a strong favourite, and won pulling up by fifteen lengths from March Hare. The next effort in the following year was on Covert Hack, the property of the late Major Eustace Loder, but although favourite that smart Irish chaser found one too good for him in Capt. Thriepland’s Lambay. The South African war then intervened, but on his return home Major Onslow was quickly to the fore again, as on Marpessa, in the same ownership as Covert Hack, he annexed the Gold Cup from Gangbridge and Ambush II in 1903. In Ireland Major Onslow was a power to be reckoned with, as, in addition to his victories in the Irish Grand Military already alluded to, he captured the Conyngham Cup in 1899, 1901, and 1903, on Covert Hack, the latter twice carrying 13st. 5lb. The Maiden Military Steeplechase fell to the gallant soldier’s prowess on five occasions, while on his favourite battle-ground, Melton, the Ladies’ Plate was accounted for three times within four years, and the Leicestershire Steeplechase twice. The Ladies’ Purse the Major won altogether on six occasions in nine years – his first winning mount being Maid of the Forest in 1904, and subsequently he rode winners in Tipperary III in 1906, Tranby in 1907, New Aideu in 1910, Cimbric in 1911, and Great Britain in 1912. While riding the latter horse a stirrup-leather broke a mile from home, and, seizing the stirrup the gallant Major rode home waving it in the air, a feat which the crowd recognised by vociferous cheering. He was second in this year’s race on I’m the One, and occupied a similar position in the corresponding race of 1913. In such a long career Major Onslow naturally had a host of amusing experiences to recount, but his best was probably that of the Irish stud groom who, on mounting the officer for a Hunt Cup race, told him to “Take a dangerous tight hoult of her head, Captain, and he’ll knock Hell’s blazes out of the fences.” It is chronicled however, that such extreme measures had not to be resorted to, the mare winning easily. Major Onslow, during his residence in this district, has been one of the most ardent and keenest followers of the Cottesmore pack of hounds, and neighbouring packs. He was also very fond of cricket, and as a member of M.C.C. frequently figured in the teams against the local Clubs, and also played for Oakham, Egerton Park (Melton), and Burghley Park (Stamford).
On Saturday, August 29th, 1914 The Grantham Journal published the following article under the heading. - THE DEATH OF MAJOR HUGHES-ONSLOW. – It is understood that the death of Major Hughes-Onslow, which was recorded in our last issue, occurred on board ship between England and France, and that the body was conveyed to Havre.
On Tuesday, October 5th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – News has been received by Mrs. Aikman, of The Manor, Dunton Bassett, of the death of her brother, Major WHITEHEAD, 56th Rifles, Indian Frontier Regiment, and attached pro tem to the 10th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, which took place during the fighting on September 25th and 26th. Mrs. Aikman has been further bereaved through the death of her brother-in-law, Major Hughes Onslow, who died in a transport in the Channel soon after the war broke out, whilst on his way to France in charge of remounts. Major Aikman himself is in America, purchasing remounts, and his eldest son, Lieut, Aikman, is at home resting pending his return to his billets in the Royal Flying Corps.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photograph kindly supplied by J. Abraham 26/03/2017