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Hi all

New here and researching my Grandfather. I have previous research and was trying to verify it using this website, I seem to have been successful as the research I have below:

Alexander MacDonald had joined the Scottish Rifles as a Private on 12 May 1891 and three and a half years later on 29 November 1894 he went to India with the Regiment having risen to the ranks of Lance Sergeant. After just over four years in India and having been promoted to full Sergeant on 22 September 1896 he and the regiment returned home on 14 February 1899. They were only home for eight months or so before being embarking for South Africa and the war against the Boers on 23 October 1899. Whilst serving with the Scottish Rifles Alexander was present at the Relief of Ladysmith and took part in operations on the Tugela Heights and in Natal and Transvaal. He was mentioned in despatches for his part in the action at Spearman Hill on 27 Jan 1900. It would seem that Alexander returned to the UK on 19 May 1901 to help with the training of the 31st Battalion Imperial Yeomanry, Fincastle Horse, before returning to South Africa with them to take part in the final stages of the conflict. He was discharged from the Scottish Rifles 23 January 1902 on taking up a commission with the Fincastle Horse, before being demobilised with the honorary rank of Lieutenant on 20 October 1902 with the outbreak of peace. He was awarded the Queens Medal (4 clasps) and the Kings Medal (2 clasps) On 14 January 1903 he joined the General Reserve as Lieutenant.

Seems to tie in with records for Number 4012 (Alexander Macdonald). This suggests he won a DCM, am I correct?

Best Wishes

Macfox
Welcome to the site. Sounds like you have already discovered interesting information.
"4012 Sgt. MacDonald, A of the Cameronians" was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for Spion Kop, 24/1/00. Announced in the London Gazette of 27/9/01 and in Army Order 15/02.
It did happen that experienced soldiers from Line Battalions were employed in the UK to train the IY. I have an example in my collection.
I had a look on my IY CD and there are quite a few A.MacDonalds shown for the various Companies (140, 141, 142 and 177) making up the 31st Bn., IY. A couple of officers but no Lt. A.MacDonald I could see.
Are you certain that your GF is indeed "4012 Sgt. A.MacDonald of the Cameronians? You would need to do that to be sure.
Regards
IL.

Many thanks for your reply and agree many 'A Macdonalds' in the records! I think he was a Sargent at the time so seemed to fit the record for 4012 at the time.

Seems he went back in WW1 and seems to have present at some of the notorious events, considering he was wounded at Ypres in 1914 he must have returned home to convalesce as my father was born in Nov 1914 before returning to Gallipoli in 1915, considering his service record and always being in the thick of it he was lucky to make it through the Boer war and WWI in one piece!

'Alexander was called back to the Special Reserve on 12 May 1912 and with the outbreak of war went to France. He was wounded at Ypres in 1914 and the following year was invalided out of Helles during the ill fated Gallipoli campaign of 1915. I suspect after this Alexander returned to the UK and was engaged in training. It is unclear which regiments he was attached to during this time. What is almost certainly his medal card granting the 1914 Star lists 2nd Kings Own Scottish Borders along with 4th Scottish Rifles. There is also an entry in the London Gazette of 15 October 1917 which would seem to refer to him as well recording a transfer from the Royal Scots to the Labour Corps viz. - "A. MacG. Macdonald (late Lt. Res of Off.) (Hon. Lt. in Army) (Sco. Rif., Spec. Res.), from R. Scots 16 Oct 1917." '