DUNCAN, JOHN, Captain, was born 24
February 1872. He was gazetted to the Royal Scots Fusiliers 4 March, 1891;
became Lieutenant 8 April 1893; was ADC to Major General, India, 7 October
1896 to 5 September 1898. He served on the North-West Frontier of India,
1897-98 (Malakand), as Regimental Transport Officer, 1st Brigade (7 August to
October 1897); action at Landakai; expedition into the Bajaur and Mohmand
country; in the Buner Expedition, as Regimental Transport Officer, in the
attack and capture of the Tariga Pass (Medal with clasp). He was promoted to
Captain 22 December 1898. Captain Duncan served in the South African War,
1899 to 1900, taking part in the Relief of Ladysmith, including the operations
of 17 to 24 January 1900; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at
Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900), and action
at Pieter's Hill; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900: operations
in Natal, March and April, 1900; operations in the Transvaal, west of
Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Frederickstad (17 to
25 October.); operations in Cape Colony, north of Orange River, including
action at Ruidam. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10
September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was created
a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September
1901]: "John Duncan, Captain, Royal Scots Fusiliers. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented
by the King 29 October 1901. He passed the Staff College; was Brigade Major,
Infantry Brigade, Malta, 31 January 1902 to 21 December 1903; Staff Captain,
HQ of Army, 1 April 1904 to 30 June 1907; GSO2, HQ of Army, 1 July 1907 to 31
May 1908; became Major 25 August 1910; was GSO2, Wessex Division, Southern
Command, 1 December 1910 to 7 May 1914. Major Duncan served in the European
War as GSO2, 11th Division, New Armies; Mediterranean Expeditionary Force 25
August 1914 to 28 September 1915; was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 1 July
1915; was GS01, to a division, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force; Australian
Forces, 4th Australian Division, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 6 February to
21 April, 1916; commanded the 78th Infantry Brigade, Egyptian Expeditionary
Force, Salonika Expeditionary Force, 26 April, 1916, to 15 June, 1917; was
given the Brevet of Colonel 1 January 1917; commanded the 22nd Division,
British Salonika Force, 17 June 1917 to 31 March 1919; Major General, General
Staff, British Salonika Force; British Army of the Black Sea 1 April, 1919;
GSO, 1st Grade, and was promoted to Major General 1 April 1919. He was
created a CMG in 1916 and a CB in 1918. Major General J Duncan married (1st),
in 1896, Helen (who died in 1903), daughter of William Boyd Buckle, BCS, and
they had one daughter. He married (secondly), in 1906, Vivien, daughter of
Emile R Merton, and they have one daughter.
