GRANT, RONALD CHARLES, Captain, was
born 22 November 1864, the eldest son of Lieutenant Colonel James Murray
Grant, Cape Mounted Rifles. He was educated at the Public Schools, Cape
Colony; joined the Cape Mounted Rifles in 1880, and served in the Basutoland
Campaign, 1880 to 1901, taking part in the Relief of Mohali's Hoed, action of
Kalibani, relief of Mafeking, first and second affairs of Lerothodi's
Village. He received the Medal with clasp. He again saw active service in
South Africa, 1899-1902, as Camp Adjutant, Colonial Division (March to
September 1900); during operations in the Orange Free State, March to May
1900, including defence of Wepener; during operations in the Transvaal, west
of Pretoria, August to November 1900; in the operations in the Orange River
Colony (May to August 1900), including actions at Wittebergen (1 to 29 July);
during operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900; taking
part in the operations in Cape Colony, November 1900 to May 1902. He was
mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901, and 16 April, 1901];
he received the Queen's Medal with four clasps; the King's Medal with two
clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London
Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Ronald Charles Grant, Captain, Cape Mounted
Rifles. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa".
The Insignia were sent to South Africa, and presented by Colonel Lukin at
Queenstown 7 December 1901. He was promoted Major (became Second-in-Command)
1 January 1903, and received the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 6 June, 1902.
For services during the European War he was given the OBE. Lieutenant
Colonel Grant married, in 1898, Nina, eldest daughter of the Reverend James
Stewart, MD, DD, of Lovedale, South Africa.
