GORDON-GILMOUR, ROBERT, Major, of
Liberton and Craigmillar, was born 27 February 1857, son of Colonel Wolrige
Gordon and Anne, daughter of Robert Gordon, of Hallhead and Esslemont. He was
educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford, and joined the 94th Foot 23
January 1878, becoming Second Lieutenant, Grenadier Guards, 17 May 1879. He
served in the South African War of 1879, in the Zulu Campaign, being present
at the Battle of Ulundi (Medal with clasp). He became Lieutenant 1 July 1881,
and served in the Sudan Expedition, 1884-85 (Nile), with the Guards' Camel
Corps, actions of Abu Klea and Abou Krou, and operations against Metemmeh,
January 1885 (Medal with two clasps; Bronze Star). He was promoted to Captain
23 July 1890. He was Assistant Private Secretary to the Secretary of State
for War 27 January 1891 to August 1892, and was promoted to Major 25 August
1896. Major Gordon-Gilmour served in the South African War, 1900-2. He was
in command of the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards from 30 May to 11 October
1900, and from 28 March to 21 June 1901, and 8 August to 3 November 1901;
operations in the Orange Free State, April to May 1900; operations in Orange
River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including actions of Biddulphsberg and
Wittebergen (1 to 29 July); operations in the Transvaal, February to March
1901; operations in Orange River Colony, December 1900 to February 1901, and
March 1901 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10
September 1901, and 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with three
clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps; was created a CB, and created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September
1901]: "Robert Gordon-Gilmour, Major, Grenadier Guards. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent out
to South Africa to Lord Kitchener, and presented by General E S Brook at
Bethlehem 3 May 1902. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 28 October 1902;
was given the Brevet of Colonel 28 October 1905; was created an MVO in 1905,
and became Colonel 13 July 1907. He commanded the Grenadier Guards, 1908-10;
was created a CVO in 1910, and retired 16 July 1910. He had the Jubilee Medal
and King George's Coronation Medal. He commanded the Grenadier Guards in
August and September 1914; the 98th Infantry Brigade in September and
November, and took it to France. He was given the honorary rank of Brigadier
General 3 April 1917, and was Area Commandant, June to October 1917;
Commandant, Cape Troops, XlXth Corps, November to February 1919 (Despatches).
He assumed the name of Gilmour in 1887, on succeeding to the estates of his
great-uncle, W L Gilmour, of Craigmillar. Brigadier General Gordon-Gilmour
was Brigadier and Adjutant, Royal Company of Archers (King's Bodyguard for
Scotland); Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod (Order of the Thistle); Grand
Master Mason of Scotland. He was a JP and DL. He married, on 19 October
1889, at Madresfield Church, Worcestershire, the Lady Susan Lygon, second
daughter of Frederick, 6th Earl Beauchamp, and they had three daughters: Mary,
Margaret and Grizel, and a son, John, born 5 June, 1899.
