| Gordon-Gilmour | Robert | | Major | 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.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Grenadier Guards |
