"He was born in Canada in 1838, and entered the British Army in 1855, from which he retired some fourteen years later, although he still retains hon. rank of Major-General therein. He became lieutenant, 1856; promoted captain, unattached, 1859; brevet major, 1865; appointed to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Regiment, 1859; exchanged to the 27th Regiment, 1862; and retired by sale of commission, 1869. In the course of his career General Dartnell served in the 86th Regiment with the Central India Field Force under Sir Hugh Rose (Lord Strathnairn) in 1857-8, and was present at the storm and capture of Chandarec, and led the only successful escalade attack on the fortress of Jhansi. He was severely wounded, mentioned in despatches (medal and clasp, captain, unattached, and brevet of major). He served in the Bhootan Expedition in 1865 as aide-de-camp to Major General Sir Henry Thombs, and was present at the recapture of Dewangiri (medal with clasp). He was appointed commandant of the Mounted Police and Volunteer Forces of Natal in 1874; was a member of local Defence Committee, 1887; granted the rank of Colonel Commanding the local forces of Natal, 1888; served through the Zulu War, 1879 (medal with clasp); and in the Transvaal Campaign of 1881, being present at the battle of Laing's Nek; CMG, 1881. He became Chief Commissioner of Natal Police, 1894; Justice of the Peace for the Colony; has acted as Secretary for Native Affairs Commissioner of Mines, and Inspector of Prisons. He married, in 1865, a daughter of Judge Steer, of the Calcutta Supreme Court.
KCB, CMG, Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, Ed VII, Indian Mutiny (1) Central India, IGS (2) Bhootan, Zulu (3) 1879, CGHGSM (4) Basutoland, QSA (5) CC Paar Drie Tr, KSA (6), Natal 1906 (7)."
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