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Name: LIKEMAN, John Longhurst DSO (Lieut.-Col.)
Birth Date: 3.2.1882 Steyning, Sussex
Death Date: 7.1.1963 Ashburton, Devon
First Date: 1904
Profession: Inspector of Police, EAP
Area: Kisumu, Muhoroni
Married: In Wandsworth 1908 Gladys Lilian Wood b. 21 Jan 1887, d. 13 Aug 1954 Newton Abbot
Book Reference: Gillett, Cuckoo, Police, Debrett, Drumkey, EAHB 1906, DSO, North, EAHB 1907
War Service: Suffolk Regt.; 2nd Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers
School: Milton College, Horsham, Surrey
General Information:
Police - Appointed an Inspector in BEA Police in 1904. Likeman had served as a Sergeant in the Regular Army and fought with his Regiment during the SA War; but at its conclusion he purchased his discharge and headed for Mombasa with the intention of taking up land to farm. Soon appreciating that his available capital was inadequate, he secured an appointment as an Inspector of Police.
While on his first long leave, Likeman met and married a wealthy woman, resigning from the Force to make a home in England. During WW1 he commanded a Service Battalion of the "First Hundred Thousand", served with them in France, was mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSO. He did not return again to EA.
Debrett - S. Africa 1901-2 (Queen's medal), European War 1914-18 (despatches, DSO, Brevet Major)
Drumkey 1909 - Police - Inspector
DSO - London Gazette 6/4/18 - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He commanded his battalion with great dash and skill. It was largely owing to his personal leadership on 2 occasions that they gained all their objectives and beat off heavy enemy counter-attacks.
Cuckoo - 1904 - Prospective settler from S. Africa - within a year he was serving under Foran's command in the Police. 1905 posted to Kisumu.
1939 England and Wales Register living in Salisbury with wife