Robert Hamilton VETCH, British Chief Engineer. Decorated for Services at War Office in connection with the defences of Empire.
Background
VETCH, Robert Hamilton was born on January 6, 1841 in Birmingham. E. sitrv. son of Captain James Vetch, R.E., Fellow of the Royal Society, of Haddington, N.B., Conservator of Harbours at Admiralty, and Alexandria Ogilvy, daughter of Robert Auld of Edinburgh.
Education
Studied at Grammar School, Henleyon-Thames. Private schools; Royal Military 2063 Academy, Woolwich.
Career
Lieutenant Royal Engineers, j 1857. Captain,1869; Major, 1878. Lieutenant-Col'., 1884.
Colonel, 1888; employed on defences of Bermuda, Bristol Channel, Plymouth Harbour, and Malta, 1861-1876. Secretary of R.E. Institute, Chatham, 1877-1883. Commanded R.E. Submarine Mining Battalion, 1884.
Assistant Inspector - General of Fortifications at War Office, 1884-1889. DeputyInspector-General of Fortifications and Secretary of the Defence Committee, and of the Joint Naval and Military Committee on Defence, War Office, 1889-1894. Chief Engineer in Ireland and Colonel on Staff, 1894-1898.
Sent by Government in “Great Eastern ” to report on laying of French Atlantic Cable from Brest to St. Pierre, and thence to Duxbury, Massachusetts (United States), 1869. Distinguished Service Pension. Decorated for Services at War Office in connection with the defences of Empire. Justice of the Peace, R.E.; Retired List.