Major AS Howard MC

Algar Howard was born at Thornbury Castle, the son of Sir Edward Howard. He joined the Carmarthen (Royal Garrison Artillery) Militia in 1900, and transferred to the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars in 1908. At the outbreak of the First World War he was Troop Leader of the Oldtown Troop, D Squadron. He was one of the few officers of the Regiment to serve right through the war, seeing action in Egypt, Galipolli, Palestine and Syria. He was severely wounded in 1916, and was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallentry against the Turks outside Jerusalem in 1917. His war diary has been a useful source of information for regimental histories.

Howard's interest in heraldry led to his appointment as Norray King of Arms after the war, later becoming the Principal in British Heraldry as Garter King of Arms. He was also awarded the Order of St John of Jerusalem (second from left) for voluntry ambulance and relief work.