Stanley Brenton von Donop


Sir Stanley Brenton von Donop was a British Army officer who became Master-General of the Ordnance.

Early life and education

Donop was born in Bath, Somerset, the youngest of four sons of Vice-Admiral Edward von Donop, and his wife, Louisa Mary Diana Brenton. His eldest brother was P. G. von Donop and his grandfather was the German official and historian Baron Georg von Donop, an illegitimate grandson of Charlotte Sophie of Aldenburg. He was educated at Wimbledon College and at the Royal Somersetshire College at Bath before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Military career

Donop was commissioned into the Royal Garrison Artillery as a lieutenant on 18 January 1880, promoted to captain on 1 April 1888, and to major on 9 October 1897. He served in the Second Boer War and in November 1900 was appointed Commanding Officer of Lord Methuen's Composite Regiment of Australian Bushmen, with the local rank of lieutenant-colonel. He led an important action at Kleinfontein the following year. For his service in the war, he was mentioned in despatches and received a brevet promotion to lieutenant-colonel in the South Africa honours list published on 26 June 1902.
In 1908 Donop was appointed Chief Instructor at the School of Gunnery and in 1911 he was appointed Director of Artillery at the War Office.
Donop had a key role in the First World War, having been appointed Master-General of the Ordnance in 1913. He ordered the 6-inch howitzers which were the main instrument for the bombardments on the Western Front.
He was also Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery.