Colonel Edward Vincent Vashon WHEELER, O.B.E., T.D., V.D.
Commanded the 7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment from April 1908 to February 1910.
Commanded the 2/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment from September 1914 to 1915.
Edward Vincent Vashon Wheeler was born on the 3rd June 1858 at the family home Kyrewood House, Tenbury, Worcestershire, part of the Newnham Court estate. He was the son of Edward Vincent Wheeler and Marianne Wheeler (nee Vashon), only daughter of the Rev. James Volant Vashon. His father was a Magistrate and farmer with 730 acres at Kyrewood House, Tenbury. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge University. On the 28th September 1878 he received a commission in to the 2nd Worcestershire Rifle Volunteer Corps. as a Second Lieutenant. As a Barrister of Law he was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1881 and presided on the Oxford Circuit. When his father died in 1885 he succeeded to the Newnham Court estates. He then joined the 1st Volunteer Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment and was promoted to Captain on the 30th January 1884 and to Major on the 17th October 1888. He Married Elizabeth Ellen Winwood Smith (youngest daughter of Sir William Smith, 3rd Bart., of Eardiston, Worcstershire) on the 27th October 1892 at St. Barnabas Church, Kensington, London. In 1893 he was appointed the High Sheriff of Shropshire. On the 27th November, 1895 Major E. V. V. Wheeler was promoted to Lieiitenant-Colonel an took command of the Battalion. On the 20th July 1898 he was granted the honorary rank of Colonel. Was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Worcester on the 19th February 1901. |
Colonel E. V. V. Wheeler |
Kyrewood House the family home |
On the 27th February 1904 he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. On the 1st April 1908, when the 1st Volunteer Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment was re-designated to be the 7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment he took command of the Battalion with the honorary rank of Colonel. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration (T.D.) on the 17th August 1908. On the 26th February 1910 ceased to command the 7th Battalion and retired. On the out break of the First World War he was recalled for army service to command a "Second Line" of Territorial battalion the 2/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment which was formed at Kidderminster in September 1914. Initially intended for Home Defence but later supplied new drafts for the front-line. He commanded this battalion until 1915. |
2/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment Officer (Kidderminster 1914)
(
Colonel Edward Vincent Vashon Wheeler seated 4th from left 2nd row)
In 1918 he was awarded the O.B.E (London gazette 7th June 1918).
On the 7th June 1918 Colonel Edward Vincent Vashon Wheeler, V.D. was appointed Chairman of the Worcestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee.
On reaching the age limit for recall to army service, he retired from the army on the 28th November 1918.
From 1927 to 1930 he was the Chairman of Worcester County Council.
Colonel Edward Vincent Vashon Wheeler died on the 21st May 1933.