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Name: SYMES-THOMPSON, Arthur Howard DSO (Major)

Birth Date: 1876

Death Date: 1 Apr 1962 Kiambu

First Date: 1913

Last Date: 1962

Profession: Served with Royal Field Artillery for about 20 years and on arrival in EA took up coffee farming. Hut - shot 6 lion in 1 day.Planter, Kianjibbi Estate

Area: 'Kianjibbi Plantation', Kiambu, 1919 Ruiru

Married: In Marylebone 12 June 1919 Mrs Florisse Bliss Dobson (widow) née Sloley, b.1891 Maseru, Basutoland, d. 8 Oct 1956 Kiambu (dau. of Sir Henry Sloley)

Children: Richard Herbert 'Dick' (28 Jan 1923-1991); Pamela (m. Desmond O'Hagan) (1925-2016)

Book Reference: Gillett, Debrett, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Hut, EAMR, Bur, Red 22, Kiambu Scrapbook, Gazette, DSO, Wolseley-Lewis, SS, Barnes, Leader14, Web

War Service: WW1 with EAMR - B Sqdn. 8/8/14 - 11/11/14 - Lieut. 8/8/14 joined Bowker's Horse and was in action at Longido and Karungu

School: Harrow

General Information:

Debrett- Major RA (retired); S. Africa 1899-1902 (Queen's medal with 6 clasps, King's medal with 2 clasps), European War 1914-18 in E. Africa (despatches, DSO)
Kiambu Scrapbook - 'In 1912 Major Symes-Thompson of Kianjibbi Estate was roused at dawn by his Kikuyu Headman, with the news that a pride of lion had killed two of his trek oxen in the night, and were harboured up in the thick bush nearby. He sent word to his neighbour, Bill Bellasis of Doondu Estate, and set off together with his partner Walter Fenton, to hunt the lion. With the aid of Kavirondo and Meru labourers and the Kikuyu Headman and staff, the lions were surrounded and driven out of the thick cover to fall to the guns of the planters. Until his death in 1962, Major Symes-Thompson recounted with pride the tale of the great day when "they bagged six lion before breakfast" on the spot that has since been known as Lion Hill.
Kiambu Scrapbook - Major Symes-Thompson began building the stone house still standing on Kianjibbi in 1914, but owing to the War it was not completed until the twenties.
Kiambu Scrapbook - By 1912, the land beyond 'Waitangi' was also being cleared and planted for coffee by Major Symes Thompson and Mr Walter Fenton (Kianjibbi) and by Captain Dorman and Mr Bill Bellasis (Doondu)
Gazette - 7/4/15 - Liable for Jury service, Kiambu - A.H. Symes-Thompson, Kianjibi Estate
Gazette - 26/8/1914 - Appt. - Captain A.H. Symes-Thompson, Volunteer Forces, East Africa Mounted Rifles, to be Lieutenant, to date August 8th 1914
Gazette - 4/11/1914 - Appt. - Permitted to resign his appointment to date 11th November 1914
Soldier Settlement Scheme after WW1 - Class B - Major A.H. Symes-Thompson, DSO, 33 Cavendish Square, W1 - Farm 149
Soldier Settlement Scheme after WW1 - Class B - Rev. F. Symes-Thompson, Stanton Harcourt, Eynsham, Oxon - Farm 1282 ???
Barnes - St. Paul's Church, Kiambu Cemetery - Major A.H. Symes-Thompson, DSO, 1876-1962; Florisse Symes-Thompson, died 8th October 1956, aged 65; also of their son R.H. Symes-Thompson 1923-1991
Gazette 6 Dec 1938 Kiambu Voters List
Gazette 19 June 1962 probate

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